countdown

Everyday

1. A countdown is counting backwards to zero, usually before something starts, like a rocket launch. tree →
2. A countdown is the time just before an important event. tree →

In the lessons

In science and space lessons, rockets launch after a countdown: 10, 9, 8 ... 1, lift-off! In maths, counting down practises subtraction and number order. In everyday life there are countdowns to New Year, holidays and birthdays. Phrases: the countdown begins, countdown to, a countdown clock.

Examples

• The countdown began: ten, nine, eight ... tree →
• After the countdown, the rocket blasted off. tree →
• We did a countdown to the New Year. tree →
• The countdown to the holidays has started! tree →
• A countdown clock showed how many minutes were left. tree →
• Count down from 20 in twos: 20, 18, 16 ... tree →
• The class shouted the countdown together. tree →

Note

Countable noun, one word: countdown. The verb is two words: count down (We counted down from ten). In maths, a countdown means each number is one less (or a step less) than the one before.