takeoff
Americannoun
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a taking or setting off; the leaving of the ground, as in leaping or in beginning a flight in an airplane.
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a taking off from a starting point, as in beginning a race.
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the place or point at which a person or thing takes off.
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a humorous or satirical imitation; burlesque.
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Machinery. a shaft geared to a main shaft for running auxiliary machinery.
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a branch connection to a pipe, electric line, etc.
Etymology
Origin of takeoff
First recorded in 1820–30; noun use of verb phrase take off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ready for takeoff — Air New Zealand’s economy sleep pods.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
On Tuesday, the maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft, reported External link a 2025 operating loss of $127 million, with no sales.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
Some soldiers jumped from the plane as it went down in the country’s southern jungle after takeoff, officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
And it was primed for further takeoff on the burgeoning Web 2.0 circuit, as Walker entered syndication and social media really began taking off.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026
The placid voice of the autopilot welcomed us aboard, then told us to strap in and prepare for takeoff.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
