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 Doomsday Glacier is not a countdown to a single catastrophic event. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Launch campaigns for new rockets often take months before a first flight, involving multiple integrated fueling tests, countdown rehearsals, and a static fire. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

To him, the study sounded like a countdown to men no longer being able to reproduce. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

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

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)