Definition of liftoff
: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile
From the M-W Editors
Examples of liftoff in a Sentence
a series of successful liftoffs
Thousand of spectators gathered to watch the liftoff of the space shuttle.
Recent Examples of liftoff from the Web
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About two minutes and 46 seconds after liftoff, the engines shut down and the first stage fell away.
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The Air Force has approved a potential liftoff at 7:35 p.m., at the opening of a nearly one-hour window at pad 39A. No weather forecast was available.
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With just 10 seconds to go before liftoff, the on-board computers detected some issue within the rocket's guidance, navigation, and control system.
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About 7 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first-stage booster returned to earth and landed on a floating platform on a ship in the Pacific Ocean, while the rocket's second stage continued to carry the satellites toward orbit.
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Watch the process and Friday morning's liftoff in our Facebook Live video below. WHY DO THE BALLOONS LAUNCH SO EARLY?
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The first-stage booster flown Saturday afternoon was brand new, and as is now the custom, returned to Cape Canaveral following liftoff for a successful vertical touchdown.
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The first-stage booster will aim for a landing at Cape Canaveral following liftoff.
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The first-stage booster flown Saturday was new, and as is now the custom, was returned to Cape Canaveral following liftoff for a successful vertical touchdown.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'liftoff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of liftoff
circa 1956
LIFTOFF Defined for English Language Learners
liftoff
playDefinition of liftoff for English Language Learners
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: the upward movement from the ground by a rocket, helicopter, or space vehicle as it begins flight
LIFTOFF Defined for Kids
liftoff
playDefinition of liftoff for Students
: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)
Learn More about liftoff
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See words that rhyme with liftoff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for liftoff Spanish Central: Translation of liftoff Nglish: Translation of liftoff for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liftoff
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