liftoff

noun

lift·off | \ ˈlift-ˌȯf

Definition of liftoff

: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about liftoff

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Synonyms & Antonyms for liftoff

Synonyms

blastoff, launch, takeoff

Antonyms

landing

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

The Radarsat Constellation Mission satellites were deployed a few minutes apart from the upper stage about an hour after liftoff. — Washington Post, "Canadian Radarsat satellites launched aboard SpaceX rocket," 13 June 2019 The first stage booster is expected to return to Vandenberg about 10 minutes after liftoff. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN, "SpaceX set to launch satellites for the Canadian government," 12 June 2019 Just seconds after liftoff, the rocket’s engine stopped producing thrust and crashed to Earth along with any hope of stealing the Soviet’s thunder. — Alex Hollings, Popular Mechanics, "The Saturn V Story: From Nazi Roots to America's Moon Rocket," 6 Feb. 2019 But flying requires an incredible amount of energy, and presently, batteries are too heavy and too expensive to achieve liftoff. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Electric flight is coming, but the batteries aren’t ready," 14 Aug. 2018 As a two-stage rocket, Safir had a launch weight of 26 to 27 tons at liftoff, most of that fuel, and was thought to be capable of carrying up to 100 pounds into low-Earth orbit. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Iranian Satellite Launch, Seen by Some as Cover for Missile Research, Fails," 15 Jan. 2019 SpaceX’s coverage will begin about 15 minutes before liftoff, so check back tomorrow morning for a pre-Christmas rocket launch. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Watch SpaceX launch its final Falcon 9 rocket of the year for the Air Force," 21 Dec. 2018 Last Monday's liftoff from Wallops Island was the first by an Antares rocket since a 2014 launch explosion. — Marcia Dunn, Popular Mechanics, "Space Station Accepts First Delivery From Virginia In Two Years," 23 Oct. 2016 Following liftoff, Orbital ATK's Cygnus capsule orbited solo for twice the usual amount of time. — Marcia Dunn, Popular Mechanics, "Space Station Accepts First Delivery From Virginia In Two Years," 23 Oct. 2016

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.