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 of takeoff
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
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
This January, Chicago O'Hare International Airport declared itself America's busiest airport based on preliminary FAA operations data for takeoffs and landings, but its passenger count was still lower than Atlanta's, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The stock moves weren’t dramatic, but Ullal’s comments are notable because Nvidia has dominated the market for graphics processing units (GPUs) in AI since the industry started taking off a little over three years ago with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
—Kristina Partsinevelos,ari Levy, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for takeoff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
In a demonstration Wednesday, an Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighter and a Super Tucano attack plane performed successful landings and takeoffs from a toll road in Lampung province on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
This January, Chicago O'Hare International Airport declared itself America's busiest airport based on preliminary FAA operations data for takeoffs and landings, but its passenger count was still lower than Atlanta's, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
The driver allegedly took off after the crash and is believed to have continued north toward Vernon, state police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The stock moves weren’t dramatic, but Ullal’s comments are notable because Nvidia has dominated the market for graphics processing units (GPUs) in AI since the industry started taking off a little over three years ago with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
—Kristina Partsinevelos,ari Levy, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for takeoff
Cite this Entry
“Takeoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeoff. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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
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