liftoff

noun

lift·​off ˈlift-ˌȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
Synonyms of liftoffnext
: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile

Synonyms of liftoff

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Examples of liftoff in a Sentence

a series of successful liftoffs Thousand of spectators gathered to watch the liftoff of the space shuttle.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His film is likable as heck but never quite achieves liftoff. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 The recent liftoff makes Apple by far the priciest member of the Mag 7, of course excluding Tesla. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 July 2026 That liftoff kicked off the first space mission for Williams and Mikaev and the second for Kud‑Sverchkov. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 July 2026 The Falcon 9 deployed all four payloads within about an hour of liftoff. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for liftoff

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liftoff was circa 1956

Rhymes for liftoff

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Browse Nearby Words

lift net
liftoff
lift one's gaze
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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liftoff. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

liftoff

noun
lift·​off ˈlif-ˌtȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)

More from Merriam-Webster on liftoff

Nglish: Translation of liftoff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liftoff

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