liftoff

noun

ˈlift-ˌȯf How to pronounce liftoff (audio)
Definition of liftoffnext
as in launch
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) everyone was quiet in the control room as they waited for lift-off

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of liftoff Its Defense Ministry said its military monitored preparations for the launch, detected the missile after liftoff and tracked its flight. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but in the end, the skies cleared enough to allow for a safe liftoff. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 The first-stage booster was never meant to return to the Starbase launch site either, instead dropping into the Gulf of Mexico within minutes of the morning liftoff. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The towering megarocket stands at nearly 400 feet (121 meters) tall and, with the debut of Version 3, packs around 18 million pounds of force at liftoff. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liftoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for liftoff
  1. launch
  2. takeoff
Noun
  • Tesla began taking $50,000 reservations—or $250,000 for one of 1,000 limited Founders Series cars—and targeted a 2020 launch.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The successful launches, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry, demonstrate the operational use of both missile systems during a single training activity.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of launch
Noun
  • Such information is important for an eVTOL aircraft, which must manage vertical takeoffs, transitions between flight conditions, and conventional forward flight.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • During the test, the aircraft validated not only the takeoff system, but the ability to maneuver at various altitudes and make in-flight mission adjustments while the systems checked for airworthiness.
    — David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeoff

Browse Nearby Words

lifting
liftoff
liftoffs
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Cite this Entry

“Liftoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/liftoff. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on liftoff

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liftoff

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