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

SpaceX called off a test flight of its powerful Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster as the countdown clock reached zero Thursday at the company’s spaceport in South Texas. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

In related news, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the final case of Ebola that had been diagnosed in Uganda had been released from hospital on Thursday, starting the 42-day countdown to declare the country Ebola free. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 16 July 2026

The rocket was stacked overnight, according to a SpaceX post on X, and now awaits prelaunch procedures ahead of the beginning of Flight 13's launch countdown. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Unfortunately, a hold that late in the countdown prevents SpaceX from recycling for another attempt. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 16 July 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)