Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

countdown

/ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.68 in modern English

Syllables: count-down
IPA: /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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

noun

The acts of preparation carried out during this period.

noun

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.

verb

Example Sentences

"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."

Etymology

From count + down.

Inflected Forms

countdowns (plural) count down (alternative) count-down (alternative) countdowns (present, singular) countdowning (participle, present) countdowned (participle, past) countdowned (past)

Phrases

count-off T-minus

Frequently Paired Words

count-off countout countup T-minus

Questions

How do you pronounce countdown?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/.
What does countdown mean?: A count backward in fixed units to the time of some event, especially the launch of a space vehicle.
Where does countdown come from?: From count + down.

How to pronounce countdown

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “countdown”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “countdown”.
Repeat and practice — Say “countdown” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.