count-down

A rocket launches after a count-down from ten.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A countdown: "count-down" refers to the act of counting backwards from a specified number to zero, especially used to mark the start of an event such as a rocket launch, fireworks display, or New Year's Eve celebration. It is often used to build anticipation or signal the exact moment something begins.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The count-down for the rocket launch began at ten seconds. (The backwards counting from ten to zero started.)
  • We watched the New Year's Eve count-down on television. (The televised event of counting down to midnight.)
  • The audience joined in the count-down before the fireworks. (The group counting backwards together.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be on count-down": to be in a state of preparation or waiting for a specific event to begin.

  • The team is on count-down for the product launch next week. (They are in the final preparation phase before the event.)

• "count-down to something": the period leading up to a significant event.

  • The count-down to the election has begun. (The final days before the election are underway.)

Variants and Related Words

• Countdown (n): a less hyphenated spelling often used interchangeably with "count-down".

  • The countdown has started for the space mission. (The backwards counting has begun.)

• Count down (verb phrase): to recite numbers in descending order.

  • Please count down from ten to one. (Say the numbers 10, 9, 8, etc., down to 1.)

Synonyms

• Backwards counting: the process of reciting numbers in reverse order.
• T-minus: a term used in spaceflight for time remaining before launch (e.g., T-minus 10 seconds).

Phrasal Verbs

• Count down: to recite numbers in descending order as part of a count-down.
  • The mission control officer will count down the final seconds. (They will call out the numbers from 10 to 0.)

Related Idioms

• The count-down is on: an expression meaning that the final preparation or waiting period for an event has begun.

  • The count-down is on for the wedding next month. (The final days before the wedding are underway.)

• Count-down to zero: a metaphorical phrase meaning the last moments before a decisive action.

  • We are in a count-down to zero before the deadline. (We are in the final moments before the deadline expires.)