liftoff

noun

lift·​off ˈlift-ˌȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
Synonyms of liftoffnext
: a vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or missile

Synonyms of liftoff

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Examples of liftoff in a Sentence

a series of successful liftoffs Thousand of spectators gathered to watch the liftoff of the space shuttle.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth shortly after liftoff for recovery and reuse, as such boosters commonly do. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 Aug. 2026 On Tuesday, when the president was departing Washington for a trip to the West Coast, the Marine One pilot tried to contact the tower at DCA three times to alert air traffic controllers that the presidential helicopter was minutes away from liftoff. — Kathryn Krupnik, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The company even delayed liftoff in order to ensure that weather conditions were clear enough to capture detailed imagery of how the spacecraft looked during takeoff. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 His film is likable as heck but never quite achieves liftoff. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for liftoff

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liftoff was circa 1956

Rhymes for liftoff

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Browse Nearby Words

lift net
liftoff
lift one's gaze
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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liftoff. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

liftoff

noun
lift·​off ˈlif-ˌtȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
: a vertical takeoff (as by a rocket)

More from Merriam-Webster on liftoff

Nglish: Translation of liftoff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liftoff

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