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

Holcombe suggests waiting until after takeoff to ask about switching seats—never make a request during boarding when the crew is trying to get everyone settled. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025

Build your brand now, so your business has a runway before takeoff. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Verb

And in these times, as trade barriers rise and fall within days and stock markets take off and crash at the speed of social media posts, the ability to quickly perform up-to-the-minute analysis can be vital. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Among those hit to the ground by federal agents and taken off was SEIU labor leader David Huerta, which led to an outpouring of support from unions and guilds all over the state and nation — though Hollywood guilds SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have been silent so far. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 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