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

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

An announcement was made Wednesday, during the Presidents’ Challenge, the annual opening ceremony at Somerset House in London that launches the countdown and training season for the Boat Race. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Comcast’s Xfinity service is attaching itself to a countdown clock that shows up during important NBC moments that lead up to the special. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Today's wet dress rehearsal, which involves fully fueling Starship on the launch pad for a full countdown simulation run, is expected to wrap up later this morning. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Sep. 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)