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

Players will then have a one-hour game play session that’s uninterrupted by ad breaks but includes countdown warnings. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 23 July 2026

No new Ebola cases have been reported since June 21 and the WHO has discharged its final patient, beginning the 42-day countdown used to declare the end of an outbreak. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

Long before this summer, there were opening ceremonies, fireworks and countdowns to kickoff. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

The countdown clock is ticking, and both Lestat the vampire and Lestat the TV season are frittering away their last moments on restating the facts. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 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)