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time

(tīm)

a. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.

b. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.

c. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.

d. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 AM.

e. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.

a. often times An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era: hard times; a time of troubles.

b. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times.

3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one's life.

a. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.

b. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.

c. A period at one's disposal: Do you have time for a chat?

5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near.

a. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.

b. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers.

a. One's lifetime.

b. One's period of greatest activity or engagement.

c. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.

a. A period of military service.

b. A period of apprenticeship.

c. Informal A prison sentence.

a. The customary period of work: hired for full time.

b. The period spent working.

c. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays.

10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: "There's television time to buy" (Brad Goldstein).

11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time.

12. Music

a. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time.

b. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo.

13. Chiefly British The hour at which a pub closes.

14. Sports A time-out.

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or measuring time.

2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release.

3. Payable on a future date or dates.

4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments.

tr.v. timed, tim·ing, times

1. To set the time for (an event or occasion).

2. To adjust to keep accurate time.

3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely.

4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner.

5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process.

6. To speculate based on the anticipated short-term performance of (a market): time the stock market.

Phrasal Verb:

time out

Computers To be canceled if an expected input is not received after a specified time. Used of processes.

Idioms:

against time

With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline.

any time

Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.

at one time

1. Simultaneously.

2. At a period or moment in the past.

at the same time

However; nonetheless.

at times

On occasion; sometimes.

behind the times

Out-of-date; old-fashioned.

for the time being

Temporarily.

from time to time

Once in a while; at intervals.

high time

The appropriate or urgent time: It's high time that you started working.

in good time

1. In a reasonable length of time.

2. When or before due.

3. Quickly.

in no time

Almost instantly; immediately.

in time

1. Before a time limit expires.

2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts.

3. Music

a. In the proper tempo.

b. Played with a meter.

on time

1. According to schedule; punctual or punctually.

2. By paying in installments.

time after time

Again and again; repeatedly.

time and again

Again and again; repeatedly.

time of (one's) life

A highly pleasurable experience: We had the time of our lives at the beach.

time on (one's) hands

An interval with nothing to do.

time was

There was once a time: "Time was when [urban gangs] were part of a ... subculture that inner-city adolescence outgrew" (George F. Will).

[Middle English, from Old English tīma; see dā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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