: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile
Examples of liftoff in a Sentence
a series of successful liftoffs
Thousand of spectators gathered to watch the liftoff of the space shuttle.
Recent Examples on the Web
The upper stage reached space on a suborbital trajectory but began tumbling about 30 minutes after liftoff.
—
Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 June 2025
One year later after liftoff, PEOPLE is looking back at the Boeing Starliner saga.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 6 June 2025
The liftoff aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang launch base kicked off the second mission in a series of Chinese probes to explore the Solar System.
—ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration last week cleared Starship for another flight, expanding the hazard area and pushing the liftoff outside peak air travel times.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for liftoff
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Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 June 2025
One year later after liftoff, PEOPLE is looking back at the Boeing Starliner saga.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 6 June 2025
The liftoff aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang launch base kicked off the second mission in a series of Chinese probes to explore the Solar System.
—ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration last week cleared Starship for another flight, expanding the hazard area and pushing the liftoff outside peak air travel times.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Cite this Entry
“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liftoff. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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liftoff
noun
lift·off
ˈlif-ˌtȯf 
: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)
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