takeoff

1 of 2

noun

take·​off ˈtāk-ˌȯf How to pronounce takeoff (audio)
1
a
: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft or in the launching of a rocket
b
: an action of starting out
c
: a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity
an economic takeoff
2
: an imitation especially in the way of caricature
3
a
: a spot at which one takes off
b
: a starting point : point of departure
4
: an action of removing something
5
: a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

take off

2 of 2

verb

took off; taken off; taking off; takes off

transitive verb

1
: remove
take your shoes off
2
a
: to take or allow as a discount : deduct
took 10 percent off
b
: to spend (a period of time) away from a usual occupation or activity
took two weeks off
c
: release
take the brake off
d
: discontinue, withdraw
took off the morning train
3
slang : rob

intransitive verb

1
a
: to start off or away often suddenly : set out, depart
took off for her trip
b
: to leave the surface : begin flight
c
: to spring into wide use or popularity
d(1)
: to branch off (as from a main stream or stem)
(2)
: to take a point of origin
e
: to begin a leap or spring
f
: to embark on rapid activity, development, or growth
2
: to take away : detract

Examples of takeoff in a Sentence

Noun Please remain seated during takeoff. Air Force One, you're ready for takeoff. All the high jumpers had flawless takeoffs. Verb I can only stay for a few minutes, and then I'll need to take off again. take off your coat and stay awhile
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Bolen discussed the pace of aviation advancement with FAA’s administrator Michael Whitaker, who was on hand to sign a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) establishing the final rule for a regulatory framework for the new category of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024 The launch had been scheduled for Thursday until the arrival of Hurricane Milton in Florida forced NASA and SpaceX to delay the takeoff and shelter the large spacecraft in a hangar at the Kennedy Space Center. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
The farm town of Dixon, population 19,000, made its mark in mazes about 20 years ago — about the time corn mazes began to take off across the U.S. thanks to new computer programming that helps farmers plot out massive labyrinths with a sinuous web of passageways. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024 But with the introduction of the iPhone, the smartphone revolution took off, transforming nearly every aspect of modern life. Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for takeoff 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'takeoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of takeoff was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near takeoff

Cite this Entry

“Takeoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeoff. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

takeoff

1 of 2 noun
take·​off ˈtā-ˌkȯf How to pronounce takeoff (audio)
1
2
a
: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight in an aircraft or spacecraft
b
: an action of starting out
3
: a spot at which one takes off

take off

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)tā-ˈkȯf
1
a
: remove entry 1 sense 2
take your hat off
b
: to take away : deduct
take off 10 percent
2
: release entry 1 sense 1
take the brake off
3
: to spend (some time) away from an activity or occupation
took two weeks off in August
4
a
: to start off or away often suddenly
took off without saying goodbye
b
: to begin flight
planes taking off
c
: to develop or grow rapidly

More from Merriam-Webster on takeoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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