Blast-off is the moment when a rocket leaves the ground and rises into the air to begin a journey into space. The original planned launch was called off four minutes before blast-off. the moment when a spacecraft leaves the ground
[ 'blast ] (noun.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English bl[AE]st; akin to Old High German blAst blast, blAsan to blow, Old English blAwan; more at BLOW.