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 of takeoff

Noun

• launch

Verb

• depart
• move
• exit
• go
• get
• get off
• pull out
• push off
• peel off
• walk out
• run along
• clear out
• push on
• start
• cut out
• clear off
• go off
• escape
• 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 last major crash on the Potomac had been in January 1982, when an Air Florida flight clipped a bridge on takeoff and plunged into the river, killing 78. —Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

The noise produced by the aircraft during takeoff and landing is equivalent to a couple of leaf blowers, Karklin said. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Verb

From an economic relationship that took off in the early 2000s as China looked to resource-rich Latin America to feed its economic boom, the two sides now rack up half a trillion dollars in annual trade. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026

On a visit to the area last week, Leslie navigated one of the unit’s boats to the crash site almost on instinct as planes took off and landed in the background. —Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

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