takeoff

1 of 2

noun

take·​off ˈtāk-ˌȯf How to pronounce takeoff (audio)
1
a
: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft or in the launching of a rocket
b
: an action of starting out
c
: a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity
an economic takeoff
2
: an imitation especially in the way of caricature
3
a
: a spot at which one takes off
b
: a starting point : point of departure
4
: an action of removing something
5
: a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

take off

2 of 2

verb

took off; taken off; taking off; takes off

transitive verb

1
: remove
take your shoes off
2
a
: to take or allow as a discount : deduct
took 10 percent off
b
: to spend (a period of time) away from a usual occupation or activity
took two weeks off
c
: release
take the brake off
d
: discontinue, withdraw
took off the morning train
3
slang : rob

intransitive verb

1
a
: to start off or away often suddenly : set out, depart
took off for her trip
b
: to leave the surface : begin flight
c
: to spring into wide use or popularity
d(1)
: to branch off (as from a main stream or stem)
(2)
: to take a point of origin
e
: to begin a leap or spring
f
: to embark on rapid activity, development, or growth
2
: to take away : detract

Examples of takeoff in a Sentence

Noun Please remain seated during takeoff. Air Force One, you're ready for takeoff. All the high jumpers had flawless takeoffs. Verb I can only stay for a few minutes, and then I'll need to take off again. take off your coat and stay awhile
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The American Airlines flight was headed from Punta Cana toward Charlotte when Stefanie Smith, 41, began convulsing soon after takeoff, forcing the plane to divert to Turks and Caicos, Smith's friend, Maria Yannotti, told Fox News Digital. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 Earlier this month, a United Airlines flight traveling from San Francisco to Japan had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after the Boeing 777 plane lost a tire shortly after takeoff. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 One of its aircraft ran off a taxiway at Houston on Friday, another lost a tire after takeoff from San Francisco and a flame-spewing engine forced another into an emergency landing. Alicia Diaz, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024 In the attack, a Pan Am transatlantic flight from Frankfurt to Detroit was destroyed by a bomb 38 minutes after takeoff while flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 It was discovered the door on that flight had been missing bolts prior to takeoff, leading to the FAA announcing an investigation into Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production line. Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Alaska Airlines flight attendant Amber May was preparing for takeoff from Atlanta to Seattle last summer when a passenger’s call light came on. Cathy Free, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Odysseus separated from the launch rocket about an hour after takeoff a week ago. Mackenzie McCarty, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb. 2024 It was discovered the door on that flight had been missing bolts prior to takeoff, leading to an FAA investigation into Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production line. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Since being taken off of menus last summer, fans have flooded the fast food restaurant’s social media platforms with requests to bring back the meal. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Measles was imported via Israel from the hot spot of Ukraine, and took off within a group whose vaccination rates were much, much lower than their neighbors’. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 With Russian economy far from collapse, U.S. opts for tougher punishment When inflation first took off in spring 2021, companies were able to raise prices faster than their costs increased. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Love Is Blind hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey are taking off the kid gloves and asking tough questions during the season 6 reunion. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 After seeing The East Pointers at Woodford, Flynn came across Scahill’s banjo video lessons on Patreon and took off with it. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The property was taken off the market in November and the deal officially closed on Feb. 15. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 She was later taken off life support and died just three weeks shy of her fifth birthday. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 Shortly after play resumed, Furphy took off from the left corner, went through the middle and delivered a monstrous jam. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'takeoff.' 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

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near takeoff

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

takeoff

1 of 2 noun
take·​off ˈtā-ˌkȯf How to pronounce takeoff (audio)
1
2
a
: a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight in an aircraft or spacecraft
b
: an action of starting out
3
: a spot at which one takes off

take off

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)tā-ˈkȯf
1
a
: remove entry 1 sense 2
take your hat off
b
: to take away : deduct
take off 10 percent
2
: release entry 1 sense 1
take the brake off
3
: to spend (some time) away from an activity or occupation
took two weeks off in August
4
a
: to start off or away often suddenly
took off without saying goodbye
b
: to begin flight
planes taking off
c
: to develop or grow rapidly

More from Merriam-Webster on takeoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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