takeoff

1 of 2

noun

take·​off ˈtāk-ˌȯf 

1

a

: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft or in the launching of a rocket

b

: an action of starting out

c

: a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity

an economic takeoff

2

: an imitation especially in the way of caricature

3

a

: a spot at which one takes off

b

: a starting point : point of departure

4

: an action of removing something

5

: a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

take off

2 of 2

verb

took off; taken off; taking off; takes off

transitive verb

1

: remove

take your shoes off

2

a

: to take or allow as a discount : deduct

took 10 percent off

b

: to spend (a period of time) away from a usual occupation or activity

took two weeks off

c

: release

take the brake off

d

: discontinue, withdraw

took off the morning train

3

slang : rob

intransitive verb

1

a

: to start off or away often suddenly : set out, depart

took off for her trip

b

: to leave the surface : begin flight

c

: to spring into wide use or popularity

d(1)

: to branch off (as from a main stream or stem)

(2)

: to take a point of origin

e

: to begin a leap or spring

f

: to embark on rapid activity, development, or growth

2

: to take away : detract

Synonyms

Noun

• blastoff
• launch
• liftoff

Verb

• bail
• bail out
• begone
• book [slang]
• bug off
• bug out
• bugger off [British slang]
• buzz (off)
• clear off [chiefly British]
• clear out
• cut out
• depart
• dig out
• exit
• get
• get off
• go
• go off
• move
• pack (up or off)
• part
• peel off
• pike (out or off)
• pull out
• push off
• push on
• quit
• run along
• sally (forth)
• scarper [British]
• shove (off)
• step (along)
• vamoose
• walk out

Examples of takeoff in a Sentence

Noun

Please remain seated during takeoff.

Air Force One, you're ready for takeoff.

All the high jumpers had flawless takeoffs.

Verb

I can only stay for a few minutes, and then I'll need to take off again.

take off your coat and stay awhile

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The airliner has faced several major safety issues, including a plane's losing a tire during takeoff and another's losing a piece of the outer fuselage. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

For babies, breastfeeding or taking a bottle during takeoff and landing is a good way to keep the sucking mechanism going; a pacifier works, too. —Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024

In March, a United Airlines Boeing 777 plane lost a tire shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2024

The airport has roughly 35,000 aircraft operations annually, according to airport officials, which is about 95 takeoffs and landings per day. —Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 31 Mar. 2024

American Airlines is the latest carrier to ensure inflight Wi-Fi is available from takeoff to touchdown. —Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024

Photo : Textron Aviation Best Super-Midsize Cabin, Citation Longitude The Longitude claims the world’s quietest super-midsize-cabin—in flight, or during takeoff and descent. —Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

The plane's crew reported that engine cowling fell off during takeoff and struck the wing flap, the FAA said. —Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

The balloon had been carrying 13 people at takeoff. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

That works out to about 180 to 190 cars taken off the roads daily on Anna Maria Island and the causeways linking it to the mainland. —James A. Jones Jr., Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Elders took off from the scene of the traffic stop, police said at the time. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2024

On June 17, he was charged with the murders, but instead of surrendering to police, Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings took off in his white Ford Bronco as Simpson held a gun to his head, leading authorities on a 60-mile chase through Los Angeles that aired live on TV. —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

The charismatic young star athlete's television career took off like a rocket. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024

On October 2, 2020, 13 Australian women were transiting through Doha airport in Qatar on their way to Sydney when they were taken off their Qatar Airways plane by members of the Qatari security services and subjected to physical examinations in ambulances on the airport tarmac. —Jack Guy, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

That work took off at the turn of the millennium with the establishment in 2000 of the historical park in Richmond, a WWII boom town for more than 55 industries that produced more than 740 ships alone. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

Reusable, winged orbiters would take off strapped to rockets, sail through Earth’s orbit and glide to an airplane-esque runway landing. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

These aircraft take off and land like a helicopter. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

takeoff

1 of 2 noun

take·​off ˈtā-ˌkȯf 

1

: imitation entry 1 sense 2

especially : parody sense 1

2

a

: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight in an aircraft or spacecraft

b

: an action of starting out

3

: a spot at which one takes off

take off

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)tā-ˈkȯf

1

a

: remove entry 1 sense 2

take your hat off

b

: to take away : deduct

take off 10 percent

2

: release entry 1 sense 1

take the brake off

3

: to spend (some time) away from an activity or occupation

took two weeks off in August

4

a

: to start off or away often suddenly

took off without saying goodbye

b

: to begin flight

planes taking off

c

: to develop or grow rapidly