subdict-logo

countdown

Definition

  • noun: the act of counting down the number of seconds that remain before something (such as the launch of a rocket) happens
  • noun: an audible backward 'counting' in fixed units (as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event
  • usually singular

Examples

  • The engineers stopped the 'countdown' because something was wrong with the engine.

  • the 'countdown to' summer vacation

  • the steady 'countdown to' war

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) launch pad construction complete? Roger. Rocket is now secured to guide wire. We are currently obtaining the ignition sticks. Countdown will commence momentarily. -Stand by. -Let's go. Hey, Ma! Where are the matches? Oh, wait. Here they are. Never mind. (..)
    1995 Toy Story