countdown

[ kount-doun ]
/ ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR countdown ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the backward counting in fixed time units from the initiation of a project, as a rocket launching, with the moment of firing designated as zero.
the final preparations made during this period.
a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.

Origin of countdown

1950–55, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase count down

Words nearby countdown

count to ten, countable, countably additive function, countably compact set, countback, countdown, countenance, counter, counter check, counter electromotive force, counter jumper

Example sentences from the Web for countdown

British Dictionary definitions for countdown

countdown
/ (ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn) /

noun

the act of counting backwards to time a critical operation exactly, such as the launching of a rocket or the detonation of explosives

verb count down (intr, adverb)

to count numbers backwards towards zero, esp in timing such a critical operation