Synonyms of liftoffnext
: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile

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 on the Web
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.
The first-stage booster was never meant to return to the Starbase launch site either, dropping instead into the Gulf of Mexico within minutes of the morning liftoff. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026 The vehicle splashed down intact in the northern Pacific Ocean three hours and eight minutes after liftoff, causing another eruption of cheers from the folks gathered at Starbase. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 The first-stage booster was never meant to return to the Starbase launch site either, instead dropping into the Gulf of Mexico within minutes of the morning liftoff. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The towering megarocket stands at nearly 400 feet (121 meters) tall and, with the debut of Version 3, packs around 18 million pounds of force at liftoff. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liftoff. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)

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