liftoff

noun

lift·​off ˈlift-ˌȯf 

: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile

Synonyms of liftoff

• launch
• takeoff

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

Eight and a half minutes after liftoff, when the spacecraft reaches orbital speed, the main engines cut off (this is called MECO). — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

And even if the mission does completely succeed, NASA will still require both competing spacecraft to execute an uncrewed lunar landing and liftoff to prove their mettle further. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Falcon 9's upper stage ignited its engine for a second time about 53 minutes after liftoff, circularizing its orbit with a burn that lasted a very short 3 seconds. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Despite all of this, the rocket is making credible progress toward liftoff. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for liftoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff
• runoff

Kids Definition

liftoff

noun

lift·​off ˈlif-ˌtȯf 

: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)