Countdown vs. Count Down
“Countdown” is the closed noun for the act of counting backward or a lead-up period. “Count down” is the two-word phrasal verb for performing that count.
Use “countdown” as the noun for counting backward or the period leading to an event. Use “count down” as the verb meaning to count backward toward zero.
Key details
Choose the right form
| If you mean / need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| the act of counting backward or a lead-up period as a noun | countdown | Cambridge records the closed noun. |
| the action of counting backward toward zero | count down | Cambridge records the phrasal verb as two words. |
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the documented noun or modifier form when naming a thing, result, event, or concept; use the spaced form when the words function as a verb.
Fast Test
If the expression can take ordinary verb tense or inflection in the sentence, the spaced verb form is usually the relevant choice.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge distinguishes the closed noun “countdown” from the two-word phrasal verb “count down.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Countdown — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Closed noun “countdown” for counting backward or a period leading to an event
- Count down — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb “count down” for counting backward toward zero