countdown
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈkaʊntˌdaʊn// UK //kˈaʊntdaʊn// count·down
n. the act of counting numbers backward to zero. You usually hear this before a big event starts, like a rocket launch or a race.
n. the act of counting aloud in reverse order to indicate the time remaining before an event begins. Often used metaphorically to describe the period of preparation immediately preceding a significant deadline.
The crowd joined in the final countdown to the new year.
The mission director initiated the final countdown ten minutes before the scheduled rocket launch.
As the digital clock on the wall ticked toward zero, the tension in the newsroom grew, marking the final countdown to the live broadcast of the election results.
From count + down.
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'to' to indicate the target event.