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

However, this bright point in the countdown to the Olympics has a dark origin story. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 21 July 2024

But the serious countdown for lovers of all things scary can officially kick off now that The Home Depot has launched its online Halloween collection for 2024. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2024

Once that work is complete, SpaceX will stack the ship on top of the booster and may perform a full countdown rehearsal a few days before the first launch attempt, which could happen as early as August. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 15 July 2024

Then the countdown will start to the Democratic National Convention in mid-August, where the party will officially nominate Biden, or dump him in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris or someone else. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

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)