takedown

1 of 3

noun

take·​down ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: the action or an act of taking down

2

: something (such as a rifle) having takedown construction

takedown

2 of 3

adjective

take·​down ˈtāk-ˈdau̇n 

: constructed so as to be readily taken apart

a takedown rifle

take down

3 of 3

verb

took down; taken down; taking down; takes down

transitive verb

1

: to lower without removing

took down his pants

2

a

: to pull to pieces

take down a building

b

: disassemble

take a rifle down

3

: to lower the spirit or vanity of

4

a

: to write down

took down some notes

b

: to record by mechanical means

intransitive verb

: to become seized or attacked especially by illness

Synonyms of takedown

Verb

• humiliate
• discredit
• humble

Examples of takedown in a Sentence

Verb

there's no need to take us down by making fun of our clothes

electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Smulders and Brost agree the easiest and safest way to have a takedown is to disrupt the communication between an operator and a drone itself by stopping the controlling radio frequency. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

Ole Miss arrives off one of the most impactful wins in program history — a takedown of former coach Lane Kiffin and his new beau, LSU, in barn-burner fashion. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Adjective

With Kirby on bottom in the second period and the match scoreless, Lillard conceded an escape point before coming back with a takedown 38 seconds later. — Tim Bielik, cleveland, 13 Mar. 2022

Since Triller relies on access to a catalog of popular music, the seemingly inevitable path of least resistance (and least takedown notices and lawsuits) will be making deals. — Tatiana Cirisano, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2020

Verb

Baltimore took down the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro after a back-and-forth game that ended on Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal as time expired. — Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026

The three-game series now shifts to New York for an elimination game with the Liberty on the verge of being the first WNBA eighth seed to take down a top overall seed. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for takedown

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Kids Definition

takedown

1 of 2 noun

take·​down

ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n

: the action or an act of taking down

takedown

ˌtāk-ˌdau̇n

adjective

take down

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)tāk-ˈdau̇n

1

a

: to pull to pieces

b

: disassemble

2

: to lower the spirit or pride of : humble

3

: to write down or record by mechanical means