countdown

[ kount-doun ]

noun

1. 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.
2. the final preparations made during this period.
3. a period of increasing activity, tension, or anxiety, as before a deadline.

countdown

/ ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn /

noun

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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of countdown¹

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

Example Sentences

The military veteran’s qualifications include regularly co-hosting Fox’s annual New Year’s Eve countdown.

From Los Angeles Times

"We know people get quite excited about the festive adverts. It's a marker in people's years and has become part of that Christmas countdown."

From BBC

"We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and time is not on our side."

From BBC

Another woman, Sophie, also not her real name, said he started a countdown so she had a minute to send him what he wanted or everything would be sent to her family members.

From BBC

In the hours before the polls closed, cable news built the anticipation with their countdown clocks to poll closings.

From Los Angeles Times