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
took off; taken off; taking off; takes off
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
1
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
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
- bail
- bail out
- begone
- book [slang]
- bug off
- bug out
- bugger off [British slang]
- buzz (off)
- clear off [chiefly British]
- clear out
- cut out
- depart
- dig out
- exit
- get
- get off
- go
- go off
- move
- pack (up or off)
- part
- peel off
- pike (out or off)
- pull out
- push off
- push on
- quit
- run along
- sally (forth)
- scarper [British]
- shove (off)
- step (along)
- vamoose
- walk out
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
Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
The firm, which launched in 2015, has been one of the global leaders in the burgeoning electrical vertical takeoff and landing sector.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024
Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
In 2010, Apple introduced the iPad, and the tablet market took off.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for takeoff 
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.
Noun
Those problems were worsened by a January incident in which a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines jet soon after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in its fuselage.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
The firm, which launched in 2015, has been one of the global leaders in the burgeoning electrical vertical takeoff and landing sector.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
Females flap their wings at around 500 Hz, after which males take off and start buzzing at about 800 Hz — rapidly modulating this frequency when the females are nearby, per the study.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
In 2010, Apple introduced the iPad, and the tablet market took off.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for takeoff
Dictionary Entries Near takeoff
Cite this Entry
“Takeoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeoff. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
takeoff
1 of 2 noun
take·off
ˈtā-ˌkȯf 
1
: imitation entry 1 sense 2
especially
: parody sense 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share