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

• launch

Verb

• depart
• move
• exit
• go
• get
• take a walk
• get off
• pull out
• push off
• peel off
• walk out
• run along
• clear out
• push on
• cut out
• escape
• clear off [chiefly British]
• go off
• start
• shove (off)
• step (along)
• evacuate

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 Boeing 777 was waiting between two runways to taxi to its parking spot as American Airlines flight 2453 was preparing for takeoff for Boston. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

The American Airlines jet was going at a speed of around 154 mph and was nearly airborne when the controller immediately instructed the plane to abort takeoff. —Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025

Verb

Julianne Hough Pokes Fun at Robert's Shirtless Moment Co-host Julianne Hough couldn't resist having a little fun with her reaction after Robert took off his shirt. —Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

One reason the Cougars took off was BYU had one of the best bench units in college basketball and wore opponents down. —Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for takeoff

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

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