takedown

1 of 3

noun

take·​down ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce takedown (audio)
1
: the action or an act of taking down
2
: something (such as a rifle) having takedown construction

takedown

2 of 3

adjective

take·​down ˈtāk-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce takedown (audio)
: constructed so as to be readily taken apart
a takedown rifle

take down

3 of 3

verb

took down; taken down; taking down; takes down

transitive verb

1
: to lower without removing
took down his pants
2
a
: to pull to pieces
take down a building
b
: disassemble
take a rifle down
3
: to lower the spirit or vanity of
4
a
: to write down
took down some notes
b
: to record by mechanical means

intransitive verb

: to become seized or attacked especially by illness

Examples of takedown in a Sentence

Verb there's no need to take us down by making fun of our clothes electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Jane Austen wrote takedowns of this kind of ninny two centuries ago — how fun to see Pike update her twit to the post-Y2K era. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 In most cases, this results in an immediate takedown of the offending bit of advertising and/or cash settlements. Chris Nashawaty, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 That takedown may have backfired and led to the current spate of health-care attacks and the crisis at pharmacies that can’t tell which customers are insured for which medicines. Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Action resumed after the pair went out of bounds with eight seconds left and Vacca got a takedown at the buzzer to tie the match. Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024 Even some past takedowns that didn't include arrests, however, have put longer-lasting dents in the ransomware economy. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2024 The initial takedown earlier this month only impacted tracks from recording artists signed to UMG labels such as Interscope, Republic or Def Jam. The publishing company’s catalog removal is much wider-reaching and affects music from other record labels. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024 His takedown with 1 second left in sudden victory over freshman Jesse Grajeda of St. John Bosco gave him the 6-4 decision. Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 An attorney representing DuVal on Thursday issued a cease and desist letter to Hudson and three other senate leaders, saying the statements caused harm to DuVal’s reputation and demanding the immediate takedown of the meeting recording. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
With Kirby on bottom in the second period and the match scoreless, Lillard conceded an escape point before coming back with a takedown 38 seconds later. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 13 Mar. 2022 Bungie continued: In other words, as far as YouTube is concerned, any person, anywhere in the world, can issue takedown notices on behalf of any rights holder, anywhere. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 28 Mar. 2022 However, Sapp was stunned by Lloyd in overtime, 6-4, with a takedown 29 seconds into the extra session. cleveland, 12 Mar. 2022 So here’s what happened at the most basic level: Early on [in the podcast’s run], her UK publisher had sent a takedown notice to Apple and Spotify. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2021 As YouTubecore arose, labels sent him takedown notices. Catherine Sinow, Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2020 Since Triller relies on access to a catalog of popular music, the seemingly inevitable path of least resistance (and least takedown notices and lawsuits) will be making deals. Tatiana Cirisano, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2020 Some Discogs record slingers posed as label owners and sent fake takedown notices to manufacture scarcity. Catherine Sinow, Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2020 The areas forward of most takedown levers serve as a place to rest your support hand thumb and can act as a gas pedal. Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, 8 Oct. 2020
Verb
To get there, Tech had to take down rival Oakland for the fourth time in six weeks to win the NorCal title game. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024 While there are suggestions that Lake is running a more professional campaign focused on taking down Gallego, on Wednesday Lake posted an insulting social media message noting Nikki Haley’s departure from the Republican presidential race. The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Sometimes, an orca will hunt alone, but until now, one had never been documented taking down a white shark singlehandedly. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 The Supreme Court heard arguments last month over whether Texas and Florida could legally bar sites like Facebook and TikTok from taking down certain political content. David McCabe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Director: Ron Howard Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold star as mismatched detectives tasked with taking down an art dealer (Steven Berkoff) who might be involved in the murder of Murphy’s pal. EW.com, 2 Mar. 2024 The rules voted yesterday also relate to the responsibility of technology companies who fail to take down content in the run-up to the elections that represents risk. Angelica Mari, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Council members agreed to take down the nets on four of the six pickleball courts at Windsor Park to see if that helps reduce noise in the area. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024 If the tree is not taken down, compacting the ground for the sidewalk and adding drainage could damage its roots, city spokeswoman Tabitha Warren wrote in an email to The Charlotte Observer. Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'takedown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of takedown was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near takedown

Cite this Entry

“Takedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takedown. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

takedown

1 of 2 noun
take·​down
ˈtāk-ˌdau̇n
: the action or an act of taking down
takedown
ˌtāk-ˌdau̇n
adjective

take down

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)tāk-ˈdau̇n
1
a
: to pull to pieces
2
: to lower the spirit or pride of : humble
3
: to write down or record by mechanical means
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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