countdowns
Sequences toward zero
Countdowns are sequences of numbers counted backward toward zero, marking time until an event.
The term evokes rocket launches, New Year's Eve, and any moment of anticipation: The countdown to liftoff began at T-minus ten.
A countdown can also be figurative—the final stretch before something significant: We're in the countdown to the election.
Time units, or extras
- minutesSixty-second intervals
- hoursSixty-minute spans
- daysTwenty-four-hour spans
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
clock · ticking · deadline · midnight · final · remaining · duration · interval
Electric signaling device
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- clockDevice displaying time
- raceCompetition of speed
- gameshowTV competition with prizes
finals · qualifying · elimination · pressure · round · overtime · sudden death · tiebreaker
January first celebration
- ball dropAnnual midnight spectacle
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
- fireworksExplosive light displays
- Times SquareFamous Manhattan intersection
party · cheers · champagne · revelry · celebration · gathering · toast · confetti
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- NASAFederal space exploration bureau
- liftoffMoment of ascent
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- mission controlEarth-based space operations hub
T-minus · sequence · abort · spacecraft · blastoff · Cape Canaveral · boosters · engines
State of awaiting something
- tensionStretched or strained state
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- waitingRemaining in expectation
drama · climax · reveal · finale · cliffhanger · drumroll · edge · breathless
seconds
Time units, or extras
timer · clock · ticking · deadline · midnight · final · remaining · duration · interval · expiration
buzzer
Electric signaling device
gameshow · finals · qualifying · elimination · pressure · round · overtime · sudden death · tiebreaker · championship
New Year
January first celebration
Times Square · party · cheers · champagne · revelry · celebration · gathering · toast · confetti · noisemakers
rocket
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
mission control · T-minus · sequence · abort · spacecraft · blastoff · Cape Canaveral · boosters · engines · launchpad
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- tensionStretched or strained state
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
waiting · drama · climax · reveal · finale · cliffhanger · drumroll · edge · breathless · nervous
ranking
Ordered position assignment
compilation · rundown · lineup · hits · favorites · playlist · billboard · ratings · order · descending
- Pop RadioDJs, playlists, airplay, spins, Billboard Hot 100
- holiday traditionsChristmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year
- game mechanicslevels, rules, cooldown, points, health points
- event promotionposters, flyers, ads, radio spots, TV spots
- listiclesrankings, bucket lists, gift guides, fun facts, life hacks
- numbered listsrankings, steps, leaderboards, sequences, priorities
countdownsaftermaths
Results of significant events
retrospectives · recaps · debriefs · postmortems · lookbacks