countdown

noun

count·​down ˈkau̇nt-ˌdau̇n 

: an audible backward counting in fixed units (such as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event

also : preparations carried on during such a count

count down

ˈkau̇nt-ˈdau̇n 

intransitive verb

Examples of countdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the weekend, Gaga launched a countdown clock on her official website that is slated to run out at 11 a.m. ET on Monday (Jan. 27). —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2025

The background of the countdown clock is made up of blue diamonds, a motif that goes back to her first album. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025

Against this backdrop, BET’s recent announcement of a 106 & Park reboot raises the question: can a traditional music video countdown thrive in the digital age? —Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025

At one point Monday morning, the countdown clock crept down to show less than 10 minutes before liftoff, but Blue Origin routinely added more time as engineers worked to troubleshoot outstanding issues. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

countdown

noun

count·​down ˈkau̇nt-ˌdau̇n 

: the process of counting off backward in fixed units (as seconds) the time remaining before an event (as the launching of a rocket)