: 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
Kairos' debut flight in March 2024 ended just five seconds after liftoff when the rocket's flight termination system detected lower-than-expected velocity and thrust.
—
Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The first-stage booster made a successful 21st liftoff, but was expended to get the satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
For the mission, known as USSF-87, the Vulcan was equipped with four solid rocket boosters mounted to the sides for extra liftoff power.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket had spent a month at the pad ready for potential liftoff, but encountered a series of problems serious enough to require a return to the Vehicle Assembly Building, about 4 miles away.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liftoff
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Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The first-stage booster made a successful 21st liftoff, but was expended to get the satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
For the mission, known as USSF-87, the Vulcan was equipped with four solid rocket boosters mounted to the sides for extra liftoff power.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket had spent a month at the pad ready for potential liftoff, but encountered a series of problems serious enough to require a return to the Vehicle Assembly Building, about 4 miles away.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Cite this Entry
“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liftoff. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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liftoff
noun
lift·off
ˈlif-ˌtȯf 
: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)
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