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

Failure to push through enough specific shipments can spark individual crises involving the price of oil, food, and water security, and a countdown to famine in many countries. —Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

The countdown continues to a potential Long Island Rail Road strike. —Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 8 May 2026

Gwen Stefani asked in a voice-over, moments after a 10-minute countdown clock struck zero. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026

For a brief moment, there was a new 48-hour countdown taunting us on Taylor Swift’s website. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 May 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)