wave-off

[ weyv-awf, -of ]

noun

1. (on an aircraft carrier) the last-minute signaling to an aircraft making its final landing approach that it is not to land on that particular pass but is to go around and come in again.
2. the postponement of a scheduled landing, as of a space shuttle, due to bad weather anticipated at the landing site.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wave-off¹

Noun use of verb phrase wave off

Example Sentences

If SpaceX flight engineers detect unsuitable splashdown conditions, they can call for a last-minute “wave-off” before the engine burn, meaning the Endeavour will stay in orbit for at least another day until conditions improve.

From Washington Post

Thus the coalition inflicts its sad legacy: a dismissive wave-off to the public instead of a secure anchor for a modern city proudly integrating multimodal transportation with commercial progress.

From Seattle Times

And it’ll practice wave-off performance in which it receives a command to abort a land attempt.

From Forbes