takedown

1 of 3

noun

take·​down ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: the action or an act of taking down

2

: something (such as a rifle) having takedown construction

takedown

2 of 3

adjective

take·​down ˈtāk-ˈdau̇n 

: constructed so as to be readily taken apart

a takedown rifle

take down

3 of 3

verb

took down; taken down; taking down; takes down

transitive verb

1

: to lower without removing

took down his pants

2

a

: to pull to pieces

take down a building

b

: disassemble

take a rifle down

3

: to lower the spirit or vanity of

4

a

: to write down

took down some notes

b

: to record by mechanical means

intransitive verb

: to become seized or attacked especially by illness

Synonyms

Verb

• abase
• chasten
• cheapen
• debase
• degrade
• demean
• discredit
• disgrace
• dishonor
• foul
• humble
• humiliate
• lower
• shame
• sink
• smirch

Examples of takedown in a Sentence

Verb

there's no need to take us down by making fun of our clothes

electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary — women & children (& actual facts) be damned. —Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024

The law enforcement takedown, dubbed Operation Cronos and led by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), has essentially neutralized the hacking group and sent ripples through the wider Russian cybercrime ecosystem. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

takedown

1 of 2 noun

take·​down

ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n

: the action or an act of taking down

takedown

ˌtāk-ˌdau̇n

adjective

take down

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)tāk-ˈdau̇n

1

a

: to pull to pieces

b

: disassemble

2

: to lower the spirit or pride of : humble

3

: to write down or record by mechanical means