liftoff

noun

ˈlift-ˌȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
Definition of liftoffnext
as in launch
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) everyone was quiet in the control room as they waited for lift-off

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of liftoff Indeed, the company is targeting 10,000 Starship liftoffs per year by 2030, Elon Musk has said. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The first-stage booster was never meant to return to the Starbase launch site either, instead dropping into the Gulf of Mexico within minutes of the morning liftoff. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The towering megarocket stands at nearly 400 feet (121 meters) tall and, with the debut of Version 3, packs around 18 million pounds of force at liftoff. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster ignited, although one cut out about two minutes after liftoff. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liftoff
  1. launch
  2. takeoff
Noun
  • The Asian Producers Alliance, led by the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) and the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI), will announce its launch at ProducerHub.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Production is due to begin in Bentley’s Crewe plant this year, with just two trims from launch, both with twin-motor powertrains and four-wheel drive.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of launch
Noun
  • Northrop Grumman has completed the first fully autonomous flight of its YFQ-48A Talon Blue aircraft, covering taxi, takeoff, in-flight manoeuvres, and landing.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • All that means heavier construction and a sturdier undercarriage, which affects things like takeoff weight and operational range.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeoff

Browse Nearby Words

lifting
liftoff
liftoffs
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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liftoff. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on liftoff

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liftoff

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