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 countdown is over and Black Friday sales have finally kicked off, including millions of massive deals at Amazon. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

Pe and her family, who live in West Sacramento, attend the annual event on the night before Thanksgiving mainly to participate in the countdown to the Christmas tree lighting and watch the Theatre of Lights performance. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025

The countdown to Black Friday is on, but most skiers have been counting down the minutes until opening day, which follows soon after (depending on the snowfall, of course). —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

Local residents and visitors joined in celebration as Amezcua led the countdown for the tree-lighting ceremony, which featured a 30-foot natural fir tree. —Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025

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)