countdown

nounverbcommon in dialogue

//ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn//

A count backward in fixed units to the time of some event, especially the launch of a space vehicle.

noun

1
A count backward in fixed units to the time of some event, especially the launch of a space vehicle.
2
The acts of preparation carried out during this period.
3
A radio or television program counting down the top songs of a given week, usually in reverse order and ending with the number one song.

Etymology

From count + down.

verb

1
To count down.
This was accomplished in the old system by polling a software variable representing the number of prebleach bin and issuing a software command to trigger the AOM once the variable has countdowned to zero.
Time measures itself out in a series of diminishing peristaltic ticks, countdowning slowly towards the miracle of Ignition.
Whole families stood gawking at the massive statue, countdowning the five remaining minutes to the big one.

Forms

plural: countdowns
past tense: countdowned
past participle: countdowned
present participle: countdowning
third person singular: countdowns

counselor · A professional who counsels people, especially on personal…count · To recite numbers in sequence.Count · A surname.

countdown · A count backward in fixed units to the time of some event, especially the launch of a space vehicle.

counter · One who counts.Counter · A surname.counterfeit · False, especially of money; intended to deceive or carry…

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.