takeoff

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A launch or ascent into the air or into flight, such as of an aircraft, rocket, bird, high-jumper etc.

   “The flight was smooth, but the takeoff was a little rough.”

   “That high-jumper's takeoff needs some work.”

   “The mute swan, being one of the world's heaviest flying birds, can have a laborious takeoff.”

2. (countable, uncountable)A parody or lampoon of someone or something.

   “Weird Al's song "Lasagna" is a takeoff on the popular song "La Bamba".”

   “I came across a little pamphlet of the period, yellow and almost undecipherable, which, on examination, I found to be a rather amusing skit or satirical take-off on the profit system.”

   “I had originally titled it, On Claiming An Identity They Taught Me To Despise. I said that having been a Renaissance historian, I was doing a take-off of the Latin tracts—"On This," "On That," "On the Beauty of Women."”

3. (countable, uncountable)A quantification, especially of building materials.

   “I'll give you an estimate after I do the quantity takeoffs for the trusses and structural steel.”

4. (UK, countable, historical, uncountable)The removal of sheets from the press.
5. (countable, uncountable)The spot from which one takes off; specifically, the place from which a jumper rises in leaping.

   “Encyclopaedia of Sport The take-off should be selected with great care, and a pit of large dimensions provided on the landing side.”

6. (countable, uncountable)The initial movement a surfer makes to start riding a wave.

   “Steamer Lane, home of the world's latest takeoff.”