countdown

noun

count·​down ˈkau̇nt-ˌdau̇n 

: an audible backward counting in fixed units (such as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event

also : preparations carried on during such a count

count down

ˈkau̇nt-ˈdau̇n 

intransitive verb

Examples of countdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But then every year, for example, with the countdown events in the years, the crowd that gathered in Shibuya, the percentage of non-Japanese citizens gathered there, the international crowd became more and more and more until maybe half of the people were international. —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025

To commemorate the countdown to the event, Omega (the watch company) has released a special edition of its beloved Speedmaster watch, called the Speedmaster Milano Cortina 2026. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025

With the computer system down, an ominous countdown clock up, and chaos reigning at the Park in the middle of a terrorist crisis, Whelan is shown in the opening scene of the first-rate Slow Horses finale holding court from a couch, as if in his therapist’s office. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

Together, the insolvency countdown and agency tumult have shaken public faith. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for countdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown
• knockdown

Kids Definition

countdown

noun

count·​down ˈkau̇nt-ˌdau̇n 

: the process of counting off backward in fixed units (as seconds) the time remaining before an event (as the launching of a rocket)