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¹time

noun \ˈtīm\

: the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, etc.

: a particular minute or hour shown by a clock

: the time in a particular area or part of the world

Full Definition of TIME

a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues : duration

b : a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future

c : leisure <time for reading>

: the point or period when something occurs : occasion

a : an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <arrived ahead of time>

b : an opportune or suitable moment <decided it was time to retire> —often used in the phrase about time <about time for a change>

a : a historical period : age

b : a division of geologic chronology

c : conditions at present or at some specified period —usually used in plural <times are hard> <move with the times>

d : the present time <issues of the time>

a : lifetime

b : a period of apprenticeship

c : a term of military service

d : a prison sentence

: season <very hot for this time of year>

a : rate of speed : tempo

b : the grouping of the beats of music : rhythm

a : a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it>

b : any of various systems (as sidereal or solar) of reckoning time

a : one of a series of recurring instances or repeated actions <you've been told many times>

b plural (1) : added or accumulated quantities or instances <five times greater> (2) : equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity <seven times smaller> <three times closer>

c : turn <three times at bat>

: finite as contrasted with infinite duration

: a person's experience during a specified period or on a particular occasion <a good time> <a hard time>

a : the hours or days required to be occupied by one's work <make up time> <on company time>

b : an hourly pay rate <straight time>

c : wages paid at discharge or resignation <pick up your time and get out>

a : the playing time of a game

b : time-out 1

: a period during which something is used or available for use <computer time>

— at the same time

: nevertheless, yet <slick and at the same time strangely unprofessional — Gerald Weaks>

— at times

: at intervals : occasionally

— for the time being

: for the present

— from time to time

: once in a while : occasionally

— in no time

: very quickly or soon

— in time

: sufficiently early

: eventually

: in correct tempo <learn to play in time>

— on time

a : at the appointed time

b : on schedule

: on the installment plan

— time and again

: frequently, repeatedly

See time defined for English-language learners

See time defined for kids

Origin of TIME

Middle English, from Old English tīma; akin to Old Norse tīmi time, Old English tīd — more at tide

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TIME

Synonyms: moment, occasion

²time

verb

: to choose the hour, day, month, etc., when (something) will happen : to schedule (something, such as an event) to happen at a particular time

sports : to cause (something, such as a throw or pass) to happen at a certain moment

: to measure the amount of time needed by someone to do something (such as to finish a race)

timedtim·ing

Full Definition of TIME

transitive verb

a : to arrange or set the time of : schedule

b : to regulate (a watch) to keep correct time

: to set the tempo, speed, or duration of <timed his leap perfectly — Neil Amdur>

: to cause to keep time with something

: to determine or record the time, duration, or rate of <time a horse>

: to dispose (as a mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired instant or in a desired way

intransitive verb

: to keep or beat time

See time defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TIME

14th century

³time

adjective

Definition of TIME

a : of or relating to time

b : recording time

: timed to ignite or explode at a specific moment <a time charge>

a : payable on a specified future day or a certain length of time after presentation for acceptance <a time draft> <time deposits>

b : based on installment payments <a time sale>

First Known Use of TIME

circa 1711

TIME Defined for Kids

¹time

noun \ˈtīm\

Definition of TIME for Kids

: a period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues <We've been friends for a long time.> <“Then it'll look like it was supposed to be there all the time.” — Megan McDonald, Judy Moody>

: a point or period when something occurs : occasion <Remember the time I helped you?>

: one of a series of repeated instances or actions <They visited him many times.>

: a moment, hour, day, or year as shown by a clock or calendar <What time is it?>

: a set or usual moment or hour for something to occur <We arrived on time.> <It's time to take your medicine.>

: a historical period : age <in ancient times>

: conditions of a period —usually used in pl. <hard times>

times plural : added quantities or examples <five times greater>

: a person's experience during a certain period <She had a good time.>

: a part of the day when a person is free to do as he or she pleases <I found time to read.>

: rate of speed : tempo

: a system of determining time <solar time>

: rhythm

— at times

: sometimes <We were, at times, very happy.>

— for the time being

: for the present

— from time to time

: once in a while

— in time

: soon enough

: as time goes by : eventually <The missing items will reappear in time.>

: at the correct speed in music

— time after time

: over and over again

— time and again

: over and over again

²time

verb

timedtim·ing

Definition of TIME for Kids

: to arrange or set the point or rate at which something happens <The dryer was timed to run for half an hour.>

: to measure or record the point at which something happens, the length of the period it takes for something to happen, or the rate at which certain actions take place <All the racers were timed.>

— tim·er noun

Medical Dictionary

time

noun \ˈtīm\

Medical Definition of TIME

a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues—see bleeding time, coagulation time, prothrombin time, reaction time b : a continuum which lacks spatial dimensions and in which events succeed one another from past through present to future

: the point or period when something occurs

: a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it>