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

The telecast included 42 performers and four live countdown celebrations, with performances from Times Square, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Nashville Kansas City and more. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Alice starts a sticky note countdown of 112 days until the first game of the next season for the Lady Greyhounds. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

The countdown is on to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament, bringing HBCU basketball, fans and excitement back to downtown Baltimore. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but in the end, the skies cleared enough to allow for a safe liftoff. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

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)