Time Definition & Meaning

American

British

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Etymology

Examples

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Synonyms time American [tahym] / taɪm /

noun

1. the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.

2. duration regarded as belonging to the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; finite duration.

3. Sometimes Time a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time.

   mean time;

   apparent time;

   Greenwich Time.

4. a limited period or interval, as between two successive events.

   a long time.

   Synonyms: span, spell, term

5. a particular period considered as distinct from other periods.

   Youth is the best time of life.

6. Often times

   1. a period in the history of the world, or contemporary with the life or activities of a notable person.

      prehistoric times;

      in Lincoln's time.

   2. the period or era now or previously present.

      How times have changed!

   3. a period considered with reference to its events or prevailing conditions, tendencies, ideas, etc..

      hard times;

      a time of war.

   Synonyms: era, epoch

7. a prescribed or allotted period, such as the span of one's life, the term allowed for payment of a debt, etc.: Loans can be made for a maximum time of 10 years.

   The time she was given on this earth was short, but rich.

   Loans can be made for a maximum time of 10 years.

8. the end of a prescribed or allotted period, as of one's life or a pregnancy.

   His time had come, but there was no one left to mourn over him.

   When her time came, her husband accompanied her to the delivery room.

9. a period with reference to personal experience of a specified kind.

   to have a good time;

   a hot time in the old town tonight.

10. a period of work of an employee, or the pay for it; working hours or days or an hourly or daily pay rate.

11. Informal. a term of enforced duty or imprisonment.

    to serve time in the army;

    do time in prison.

12. the period necessary for or occupied by something.

    The time of the baseball game was three hours and two minutes.

    The bus takes too much time, so I'll take a plane.

13. leisure time; sufficient or spare time.

    to have time for a vacation;

    I have no time to stop now.

14. a particular or definite point in time, as indicated by a clock.

    What time is it?

15. a particular part of a year, day, etc.; season or period.

    It's time for lunch.

16. an appointed, fit, due, or proper instant or period.

    a time for sowing;

    the time when the sun crosses the meridian;

    There is a time for everything.

17. the particular point in time when an event is scheduled to take place.

    train time;

    curtain time.

18. an indefinite, frequently prolonged period or duration in the future.

    Time will tell if what we have done here today was right.

19. the right occasion or opportunity.

    to watch one's time.

20. each occasion of a recurring action or event.

    to do a thing five times;

    It's the pitcher's time at bat.

21. times, used as a multiplicative word in phrasal combinations expressing how many instances of a quantity or factor are taken together.

    Two goes into six three times;

    five times faster.

22. Drama. one of the three unities.

23. Prosody. a unit or a group of units in the measurement of meter.

24. Music.

    1. tempo; relative rapidity of movement.

    2. the metrical duration of a note or rest.

    3. proper or characteristic tempo.

    4. the general movement of a particular kind of musical composition with reference to its rhythm, metrical structure, and tempo.

    5. the movement of a dance or the like to music so arranged.

       waltz time.

25. Military. rate of marching, calculated on the number of paces taken per minute.

    double time;

    quick time.

26. Manège. each completed action or movement of the horse.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or showing the passage of time.

2. (of an explosive device) containing a clock so that it will detonate at the desired moment.

   a time bomb.

3. Commerce. payable at a stated period of time after presentment.

   time drafts or notes.

4. of or relating to purchases on the installment plan, or with payment postponed.

verb (used with object)

timed, timing

1. to measure or record the speed, duration, or rate of.

   to time a race.

2. to fix the duration of.

   The proctor timed the test at 15 minutes.

3. to fix the interval between (actions, events, etc.).

   They timed their strokes at six per minute.

4. to regulate (a train, clock, etc.) as to time.

5. to appoint or choose the moment or occasion for; schedule.

   He timed the attack perfectly.

verb (used without object)

timed, timing

1. to keep time; sound or move in unison.

idioms

1. on one's own time, during one's free time; without payment.

   He worked out more efficient production methods on his own time.

2. on time,

   1. at the specified time; punctually.

   2. to be paid for within a designated period of time, as in installments.

      Many people are never out of debt because they buy everything on time.

3. time after time, again and again; repeatedly; often.

   I've told him time after time not to slam the door.

4. take one's time, to be slow or leisurely; dawdle.

   Speed was important here, but he just took his time.

5. mark time,

   1. to suspend progress temporarily, as to await developments; fail to advance.

   2. Military. to move the feet alternately as in marching, but without advancing.

6. at one time,

   1. once; in a former time.

      At one time they owned a restaurant.

   2. at the same time; at once.

      They all tried to talk at one time.

7. make time,

   1. to move quickly, especially in an attempt to recover lost time.

   2. to travel at a particular speed.

8. behind the times, old-fashioned; dated.

   These attitudes are behind the times.

9. kill time, to occupy oneself with some activity to make time pass quickly.

   While I was waiting, I killed time counting the cars on the freight trains.

10. from time to time, on occasion; occasionally; at intervals.

    She comes to see us from time to time.

11. at the same time, nevertheless; yet.

    I'd like to try it, but at the same time I'm a little afraid.

12. at times, at intervals; occasionally.

    At times the city becomes intolerable.

13. time of life, (one's) age.

    At your time of life you must be careful not to overdo things.

14. for the time being, temporarily; for the present.

    Let's forget about it for the time being.

15. pass the time of day, to converse briefly with or greet someone.

    The women would stop in the market to pass the time of day.

16. against time, in an effort to finish something within a limited period.

    We worked against time to get out the newspaper.

17. make time with, to pursue or take as a sexual partner.

18. in good time,

    1. at the right time; on time; punctually.

    2. in advance of the right time; early.

       We arrived at the appointed spot in good time.

19. many a time, again and again; frequently.

    Many a time they didn't have enough to eat and went to bed hungry.

20. in no time, in a very brief time; almost at once.

    Working together, they cleaned the entire house in no time.

21. time and time again, repeatedly; often: Also time and again.

    Time and time again I warned her to stop smoking.

22. out of time, not in the proper rhythm.

    His singing was out of time with the music.

23. gain time, to postpone in order to make preparations or gain an advantage; delay the outcome of.

    He hoped to gain time by putting off signing the papers for a few days more.

24. time of one's life, an extremely enjoyable experience.

    They had the time of their lives on their trip to Europe.

25. beat someone's time, to compete for or win a person being dated or courted by another; prevail over a rival.

    He accused me, his own brother, of trying to beat his time.

26. keep time,

    1. to record time, as a watch or clock does.

    2. to mark or observe the tempo.

    3. to perform rhythmic movements in unison.

27. ahead of time, before the time due; early.

    The building was completed ahead of time.

28. sign of the times. sign of the times.

29. in time,

    1. early enough.

       to come in time for dinner.

    2. in the future; eventually.

       In time he'll see what is right.

    3. in the correct rhythm or tempo.

       There would always be at least one child who couldn't play in time with the music.

time British / taɪm /

noun

1. 1. the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past

   2. ( as modifier )

      time travel

2. physics a quantity measuring duration, usually with reference to a periodic process such as the rotation of the earth or the vibration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from certain atoms. In classical mechanics, time is absolute in the sense that the time of an event is independent of the observer. According to the theory of relativity it depends on the observer's frame of reference. Time is considered as a fourth coordinate required, along with three spatial coordinates, to specify an event See caesium clock second 2 space-time

3. a specific point on this continuum expressed in terms of hours and minutes

   the time is four o'clock

4. a system of reckoning for expressing time

   Greenwich mean time

5. 1. a definite and measurable portion of this continuum

   2. ( as modifier )

      time limit

6. 1. an accepted period such as a day, season, etc

   2. ( in combination )

      springtime

7. an unspecified interval; a while

   I was there for a time

8. (often plural) a period or point marked by specific attributes or events

   the Victorian times

   time for breakfast

9. a sufficient interval or period

   have you got time to help me?

10. an instance or occasion

    I called you three times

11. an occasion or period of specified quality

    have a good time

    a miserable time

12. the duration of human existence

13. the heyday of human life

    in her time she was a great star

14. a suitable period or moment

    it's time I told you

15. the expected interval in which something is done

    the flying time from New York to London was seven hours

16. a particularly important moment, esp childbirth or death

    her time had come

17. (plural) indicating a degree or amount calculated by multiplication with the number specified

    ten times three is thirty

    he earns four times as much as me

18. (often plural) the fashions, thought, etc, of the present age (esp in the phrases ahead of one's time, behind the times )

19. (in bars, pubs, etc) short for closing time

20. informal a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time )

21. 1. a customary or full period of work

    2. the rate of pay for this period

22. Also (esp US): metre.

    1. the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is established

    2. a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar

       duple time

23. music short for time value

24. prosody a unit of duration used in the measurement of poetic metre; mora

25. in an effort to complete something in a limited period

26. before the deadline

27. in due course

28. continuously

29. 1. once; formerly

    2. simultaneously

30. 1. simultaneously

    2. nevertheless; however

31. sometimes

32. (of a conductor, etc) to indicate the tempo or pulse of a piece of music by waving a baton or a hand, tapping out the beats, etc

33. prematurely

34. for the moment; temporarily

35. at intervals; occasionally

36. See gain 1

37. to have no patience with; not tolerate

38. 1. early

    2. quickly

39. very quickly; almost instantaneously

40. 1. outside paid working hours

    2. at one's own rate

41. 1. early or at the appointed time

    2. eventually

    3. music at a correct metrical or rhythmic pulse

42. to observe correctly the accent or rhythmic pulse of a piece of music in relation to tempo

43. (of a timepiece) to operate too slowly

44. to do something without delay

45. 1. to find an opportunity

    2. informal (often foll by with) to succeed in seducing

46. See mark 1

47. at the last possible moment; at the critical moment

48. 1. at the expected or scheduled time

    2. payable in instalments

49. to exchange casual greetings (with an acquaintance)

50. alternately; turn and turn about

51. frequently

52. a period when one is absent from work for a holiday, through sickness, etc

53. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): extra time. an additional period played at the end of a match, to compensate for time lost through injury or (in certain circumstances) to allow the teams to achieve a conclusive result

54. from time immemorial

55. a memorably enjoyable time

56. (modifier) operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience

    time lock

    time switch

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. to ascertain or calculate the duration or speed of

2. to set a time for

3. to adjust to keep accurate time

4. to pick a suitable time for

5. sport to control the execution or speed of (an action, esp a shot or stroke) so that it has its full effect at the right moment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

1. the word called out by a publican signalling that it is closing time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 time Scientific / tīm /

1. A continuous, measurable quantity in which events occur in a sequence proceeding from the past through the present to the future.

2. See Note at space-time

3. 1. An interval separating two points of this quantity; a duration.

   2. A system or reference frame in which such intervals are measured or such quantities are calculated.

time More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing time

• about time
• against the clock (time)
• ahead of one's time
• ahead of time
• all the time
• at all times
• at one time
• at one time or another
• at the same time
• at this point (in time)
• at times
• beat time
• behind in (time)
• behind the times
• bide one's time
• big time
• buy time
• call one's (time one's) own
• chow down (time)
• crunch time
• do time
• every time one turns around
• for the moment (time being)
• from time to time
• good-time Charlie
• hard time
• have a good time
• high time
• in between times
• in due course (of time)
• in good time
• in no time
• in the fullness of time
• in the nick of time
• in time
• keep time
• keep up (with the times)
• kill time
• less than (no time)
• long time no see
• lose time
• make good time
• make time
• make up for lost time
• many is the (time)
• mark time
• no time for
• no time like the present
• not give someone the time of day
• of one's life, time
• on borrowed time
• on one's own time
• on time
• once upon a time
• one by one (at a time)
• pass the time
• play for time
• point in time
• pressed for time
• serve time
• show someone a good time
• small time
• stitch in time
• take one's time
• take up space (time)
• tell time
• whale of a time

Other Word Forms

• retime verb (used with object)
• untimed adjective

Etymology

Origin of time

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English tīma; cognate with Old Norse tīmi; akin to tide 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He’s in the picture, but I do think that coming back from the shoulder, it’s going to take some time,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, time is of the essence for her to find a hubby.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's just not right. Thirteen years is nothing. The thought of him being out living his life... every time I go up the grave I get angry."

From BBC

Gloriously unpredictable and, at times, impossible to read, they are wildly entertaining - bewildering, bewitching, brilliant.

From BBC

Only four British men have ever run faster on UK soil than his time of 9.96 seconds to win the England Athletics Championships in Bedford that day.

From BBC

Related Words

• age
• date
• day
• era
• future
• generation
• hour
• life
• moment
• month
• occasion
• pace
• past
• point
• present
• season
• second
• space
• stage
• term

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.