Definition of 'time'

Learner: time Video pronunciation English: time American: time Example sentences Idiom list Word partners

time

(taɪm   )
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense times   , present participle timing   , past tense, past participle timed  
1. uncountable noun
Time is what we measure in minutes, hours, days, and years.
...a two-week period of time.  
Time passed, and still Ma did not appear.  
As time went on the visits got more and more regular.  
The social significance of religion has changed over time.  
2. singular noun [wh/the N]
You use time to ask or talk about a specific point in the day, which can be stated in hours and minutes and is shown on clocks.
'What time is it?'—'Eight o'clock.'  
He asked me the time.  
What time did he leave?  
I phoned my mother to ask what time she was coming home.  
The time is now 19 minutes past the hour.  
3. countable noun
The time when something happens is the point in the day when it happens or is supposed to happen.
Departure times are 08:15 from St Quay, and 18:15 from St Helier.  
4.  See also opening time
5. uncountable noun
You use time to refer to the system of expressing time and counting hours that is used in a particular part of the world.
The tidal predictions are expressed in Greenwich Mean Time. Add one hour for British Summer Time.  
The incident happened just after ten o'clock local time.  
6. uncountable noun [oft a NOUN]
You use time to refer to the period that you spend doing something or when something has been happening.
Adam spent a lot of time in his grandfather's office.  
He wouldn't have the time or money to take care of me.  
Listen to me, I haven't got much time.  
It's obvious that you need more time to think.  
The route was blocked for some time.  
For a long time I didn't tell anyone.  
A short time later they sat down to eat.  
Thank you very much for your time.  
Synonyms: period, while, term, season   More Synonyms of time
7. singular noun
If you say that something has been happening for a time, you mean that it has been happening for a fairly long period of time.
He was also for a time the art critic of 'The Scotsman'.  
He stayed for quite a time.  
After a time they came to a pond.  
8. countable noun [oft preposition NOUN]
You use time to refer to a period of time or a point in time, when you are describing what is happening then. For example, if something happened at a particular time, that is when it happened. If it happens at all times, it always happens.
We were in the same college, which was male-only at that time.  
By this time he was thirty.  
During the times when I was too ill to write, I would ask a friend to make notes for me.  
It was a time of terrible uncertainty.  
Homes are more affordable than at any time in the past five years.  
It seemed like a good time to tell her.  
There were times when he would ring his bell at all hours of the day or night.  
Synonyms: occasion, point, moment, hour   More Synonyms of time
9. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
You use time or times to talk about a particular period in history or in your life.
They were hard times and his parents had been struggling to raise their family.  
We'll be alone together, quite like old times.  
We are in one of the most severe recessions in modern times.  
A 'Felucca' is the traditional Nile sailboat, unchanged since the time of the pharaohs.  
Synonyms: age, days, era, year   More Synonyms of time
10. 
See behind the times
11. countable noun [adjective NOUN]
When you describe the time that you had on a particular occasion or during a particular part of your life, you are describing the sort of experience that you had then.
Sarah and I had a great time while the kids were away.  
She's had a really tough time the last year and a half.  
You had an easy time of it at home.  
I try to remember all the good times I've had here.  
12. singular noun
Your time is the amount of time that you have to live, or to do a particular thing.
The hunt for a solution is on, and time is running out.  
Every administration has its time. And when your time is over, you leave.  
I doubt I would change anything if I had my time again.  
Synonyms: lifetime, day, life, season   More Synonyms of time
13. uncountable noun [NOUN to-infinitive, NOUN that]
If you say it is time for something, time to do something, or time you did something, you mean that this thing ought to happen or be done now.
Opinion polls indicated a feeling among the public that it was time for a change. [+ for]  
It was time for him to go to work. [+ for]  
This was no time to make a speech.  
The time has come to put an end to the conflict.  
It's time you went to school.  
14. countable noun
When you talk about a time when something happens, you are referring to a specific occasion when it happens.
Every time she travels on the bus, it's delayed by at least three hours.  
The last time I saw her was about sixteen years ago.  
House prices are rising for the first time since November.  
Next time you go shopping, throw in a few extra fruit and vegetables.  
Remember that time she picked up my daughter when I was ill?  
15. countable noun
You use time after numbers to say how often something happens.
It was her job to make tea three times a day.  
How many times has your mother told you never to talk to strangers?  
The tournament was won a second time by the American team.  
16. plural noun
You use times after numbers when comparing one thing to another and saying, for example, how much bigger, smaller, better, or worse it is.
Its profits are rising four times faster than the average company.  
Young people were several times more likely to be unemployed than older workers.  
He polled four times as many votes as his rival.  
...an area five times the size of Britain.  
17. conjunction
You use times in arithmetic to link numbers or amounts that are multiplied together to reach a total.
Four times six is 24.  
18. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Someone's time in a race is the amount of time it takes them to finish the race.
He was over a second faster than his previous best time.  
She recorded a time of two minutes 8.74 seconds.  
[Also + of]
19. uncountable noun [oft in NOUN]
The time of a piece of music is the number of beats that the piece has in each bar.
A reel is in four-four time, and a jig is in six-eight time.  
Synonyms: tempo, beat, rhythm, measure   More Synonyms of time
20. verb
If you time something for a particular time, you plan or decide to do it or cause it to happen at this time.
He timed the election to coincide with new measures to boost the economy. [VERB noun to-infinitive]  
We had timed our visit for March 7. [VERB noun + for]  
He had timed his intervention well. [VERB noun adverb]  
Operation Amazon is timed to coincide with the start of the dry season. [V-ed to-inf]  
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: schedule, set, plan, book   More Synonyms of time
21. verb
If you time an action or activity, you measure how long someone takes to do it or how long it lasts.
He timed each performance with a stop-watch. [VERB noun]  
Synonyms: measure, judge, clock, count   More Synonyms of time
22.  See also timing
23. 
See about time
24. 
See ahead of time
25. 
See ahead of your time
26. 
See all the time
27. 
See at a time
28. 
See at any time
29. 
See at the best of times
30. 
See at one time
31. 
See at the same time
32. 
See at the same time
33. 
See at times
34. 
See before your time
35. 
See before your time
36. 
See not before time
37. 
See call time on
38. 
See to do time
39. 
See for all time
40. 
See for the time being
41. 
See from time to time
42. 
See half the time
43. 
See to have no time/a lot of time for sb
44. 
See it is high time
45. 
See in time
46. 
See in/given time
47. 
See in/out of time
48. 
See in a few etc minutes'/days'/weeks' etc time
49. 
See in good time
50. 
See (all) in good time
51. 
See in (next to) no time
52. 
See in your own time
53. 
See in your own time
54. 
See to keep time
55. 
See to keep time
56. 
See to make time
57. 
See to make good time
58. 
See to make up for lost time
59. 
See to mark time
60. 
See nine times out of ten
61. 
See of all time
62. 
See on time
63. 
See only/just etc a question/matter of time
64. 
See our time(s)
65. 
See to pass the time
66. 
See to pass the time of day
67. 
See to play for time
68. 
See to take time
69. 
See to take your time
70. 
See to tell the time
71. 
See time after time
72. 
See time flies
73. 
See to have the time of your life
74. 
See no time to lose
75. 
See time will tell
76. 
See to waste no time
77.  time and again
78.  to the end of time
79.  in the fullness of time
80.  there's no time like the present
81.  the time is ripe
More Synonyms of time
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of
time

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time in British English

(taɪm   )
noun
1. 
a. 
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
b. 
(as modifier)
time travel
▶ Related adjective: temporal
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, second2 (sense 1), 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. 
a. 
a definite and measurable portion of this continuum
b. 
(as modifier)
time limit
6. 
a. 
an accepted period such as a day, season, etc
b. 
(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.  British (in bars, pubs, etc) short for closing time
20.  informal
a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time)
21. 
a. 
a customary or full period of work
b. 
the rate of pay for this period
22.  Also (esp US): metre
a. 
the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is established
b. 
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.  See against time
26.  See ahead of time
27.  See all in good time
28.  See all the time
29.  See at one time
30.  See at the same time
31.  See at times
32.  See beat time
33.  See before one's time
34.  See for the time being
35.  See from time to time
36.  See gain time
37.  See have no time for
38.  See in good time
39.  See in no time
40.  See in one's own time
41.  See in time
42.  See keep time
43.  See lose time
44.  See lose no time
45.  See make time
46.  See mark1 (sense 35)
47.  See in the nick of time
48.  See on time
49.  See pass the time of day
50.  See time about
51.  See time and again
52.  See time off
53.  See time on
54.  See time out of mind
55.  See time of one's life
56. (modifier)
operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience
time lock
time switch
verb (transitive)
57. 
to ascertain or calculate the duration or speed of
58. 
to set a time for
59. 
to adjust to keep accurate time
60. 
to pick a suitable time for
61.  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
exclamation
62. 
the word called out by a publican signalling that it is closing time
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English tīma; related to Old English tīd time, Old Norse tīmi, Alemannic zīme; see tide1

time in American English

(taɪm   )
noun
1.  duration; continuance
a. 
indefinite, unlimited duration in which things are considered as happening in the past, present, or future; every moment there has ever been or ever will be
b. 
a. 
the entire period of existence of the known universe; finite duration, as distinguished from infinity
b. 
the entire period of existence of the world or of humanity; earthly duration, as distinguished from eternity
c.  [T-]
Father Time
c. 
a system of measuring duration
solar time, standard time
2.  a period or interval
a. 
the period between two events or during which something exists, happens, or acts; measured or measurable interval
b.  [often pl.]
any period in the history of man or of the universe, often specif. with reference to a characteristic social structure, set of customs, famous person living then, etc.
prehistoric times, medieval times, geologic time, Lincoln's time
c. 
a. 
a period characterized by a prevailing condition or specific experience
a time of peace, have a good time
b.  [usually pl.]
the prevailing conditions of a particular period
the times were difficult
d. 
a period of duration set or thought of as set
; specif.,
a. 
a period of existence; lifetime
his time is almost over
b. 
a term of apprenticeship
c. 
a term of imprisonment
d. 
a term of military service
e.  US, Obsolete
a period of indenture
e. 
a period or periods necessary, sufficient, or available for something
no time for play
f. 
the specific, usual, or allotted period during which something is done
the runner's time was 1.47 minutes; baking time, 20 minutes
g. 
a. 
the period regularly worked or to be worked by an employee
b. 
the hourly rate of pay for the regular working hours
h. 
rate of speed in marching, driving, working, etc.
quick time, double time
i.  Theatre
one of the three unities
see also the (three) unities, at unity
j.  Music
a. 
the grouping of rhythmic beats into measures of equal length
b. 
the characteristic rhythm of a piece of music in terms of this grouping, indicated by the time signature
c. 
the rate of speed at which a composition or passage is played; tempo
d.  Loosely
the rhythm and tempo characteristic of a kind of composition
waltz time, march time
e. 
the duration of a note or rest
k.  Prosody
a unit of quantitative meter; esp., a mora, or short syllable
l.  US, Sport
timeout
3.  a point in duration; moment; instant; occasion
a. 
a precise instant, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year, determined by clock or calendar
b. 
the point at which something has happened, is happening, or will happen; occasion
game time is two o'clock
c. 
the usual, natural, traditional, or appointed moment for something to happen, begin, or end [time to get up]
; specif.,
a. 
the moment of death
his time is close at hand
b. 
the end of a period of pregnancy; moment of giving birth
her time had come
c.  US
one's turn at something
a time at bat
d. 
the suitable, proper, favorable, or convenient moment
now is the time to act
e. 
any one of a series of moments at which the same or nearly the same thing recurs; repeated occasion
told for the fifth time, time and time again
interjection
4.  Sport
used to signify that a period of play or activity has ended or that play is temporarily suspended
verb transitiveWord forms: timed or ˈtiming
5. 
to arrange or set the time of so as to be acceptable, suitable, opportune, etc.
to time an invasion
6. 
to adjust, set, play, etc. so as to coincide in time with something else
to time one's watch with another's
7. 
to regulate (a mechanism) for a given speed or length of operation
8. 
to set the duration of (a syllable or musical note) as a unit of rhythm
9. 
to calculate or record the pace, speed, finishing time, etc. of; clock
to time a runner
verb intransitive
10.  Rare
to move in time; keep time
adjective
11. 
having to do with time
12. 
set or regulated so as to explode, open, etc. at a given time
a time bomb
13. 
payable later or on a specified future date
a time loan
14.  US
designating or of any of a series of payments made or to be made over a period of time
a time payment
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME < OE tima, prob. < IE *dī-men < base *dā(i)-, to part, divide up > tide1

Examples of 'time' in a sentence
time

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
The government is committed to balancing the books over a sensible period of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Three times more than my car insurance and four times more than home and buildings cover!
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Women are three times more likely to have it.
The Sun (2016)
There could hardly be a better time for an election.
The Sun (2016)
What happened the last time you went for a facial?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She has told me what a nasty and difficult man he is time and time again.
The Sun (2016)
These include leaving their mobile phones behind and taking temporary replacements to use during their time there.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet you still make time for your own projects.
The Sun (2016)
 Obviously I was in the driving seat at the time and in control of the match.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
 This time anorexia became a way of getting some control into my life.
The Sun (2014)
We will focus on the important games coming up in a short period of time.
The Sun (2013)
We did it three or four times.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The opposite may happen for a time during withdrawal before normality returns.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
So we end up buying and eating the same meals time and again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
When was the last time you used a catapult?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What difference does it make in real time?
Christianity Today (2000)
This week it was announced the soap will air six times a week next year.
The Sun (2016)
It will take a long time to rebuild their confidence and get on with leading their lives.
The Sun (2010)
Very few people at that time got much education at all.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
 Four times we tried to get it thrown out.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It will be timed to coincide with the main music festival season.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These are not injuries that cause instant death but do cause death over time.
The Sun (2012)
He needs to get with the times.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are designed to give the company time to work on a refinancing of its debt.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Love that grows with time links you with a new face where old friends meet.
The Sun (2014)
Is there any particular time that would be convenient?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Two carers came four times a day and were a godsend.
The Sun (2010)
This work was incomplete at the time of the change of government.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The commonest time is about a week after contact.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
What are your memories of the last time you worked together?
The Sun (2012)
And those who experience the most happiness learn to roll with the punches and rock the good times.
The Sun (2015)
 Summer is the time for camping.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He grew increasingly religious, attending a mosque and saying prayers five times a day.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)

Quotations

But meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flyingVirgilGeorgics
Time is the best medicineOvidRemedia Amoris
Every instant of time is a pinprick of eternityMarcus AureliusMeditations
Wait for that wisest of Counsellors, TimePericles
To every thing there is a season, and a time
to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die ...
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace Bible: Ecclesiastes
Come what may,
Time and the hour runs through the roughest dayWilliam ShakespeareMacbeth
Time, the subtle thief of youthJohn MiltonSonnet 7
Remember that time is moneyBenjamin FranklinAdvice to a Young Tradesman
Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills themDion BoucicaultLondon Assurance
The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but timeW.B. Yeatsin memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz
Time goes, you say? Ah, no!
Alas, Time stays, we goHenry Austin DobsonThe Paradox of Time
Time rushes by and yet time is frozen. Funny how we get so exact about time at the end of life and at its beginningSister Helen Prejean
Time and tide wait for no man
Time flies (tempus fugit)
Time is a great healer
Time will tell

More idioms containing
time

ride two horses at the same time
in the nick of time
a race against time
a stitch in time
something has stood the test of time
be living on borrowed time
big time
call time on something
have time on your hands
hit the big time
in no time
mark time
play for time
have a whale of a time

COBUILD Collocations
time
 

brief time
difficult time
lean times
limited time
more time
remember a time
right time
rough time
save time
sufficient time
time heals
time of year
total time
tough time
troubled time
turbulent time
vacation time
wait time
waiting time

In other languages

British English: time   /taɪm/ NOUN
how long something takes to happen Time is how long something takes to happen. We measure time in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years.
I've known him for a long time.
  • American English: time   /ˈtaɪm/
  • Arabic: وَقْت  
  • Brazilian Portuguese: tempo   período
  • Chinese: 时间  
  • Croatian: vrijeme  
  • Czech: čas  
  • Danish: tid  
  • Dutch: tijd  
  • European Spanish: tiempo   duración
  • Finnish: aika   abstrakti käsite
  • French: temps   durée
  • German: Zeit  
  • Greek: χρόνος  
  • Italian: tempo  
  • Japanese: 時間  
  • Korean: 시간  
  • Norwegian: tid  
  • Polish: czas   okres trwania
  • European Portuguese: tempo   período
  • Romanian: durată
  • Russian: время  
  • Latin American Spanish: tiempo   magnitud física
  • Swedish: tid  
  • Thai: เวลา  
  • Turkish: zaman  
  • Ukrainian: час
  • Vietnamese: thời gian  
British English: time   /taɪm/ NOUN
current The time is a moment in the day that you describe in hours and minutes.
  • American English: time   /ˈtaɪm/
  • Arabic: وَقْت
  • Brazilian Portuguese: hora  
  • Chinese: 时间
  • Croatian: vrijeme
  • Czech: doba
  • Danish: klokken
  • Dutch: tijd
  • European Spanish: hora  
  • Finnish: aika
  • French: heure  
  • German: Uhrzeit  
  • Greek: ώρα
  • Italian: ora  
  • Japanese: 時刻
  • Korean: 시간
  • Norwegian: tid
  • Polish: godzina
  • European Portuguese: tempo  
  • Romanian: oradespre ceas
  • Russian: время
  • Latin American Spanish: hora  
  • Swedish: klockan
  • Thai: เวลา
  • Turkish: saat
  • Ukrainian: час
  • Vietnamese: giờ

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time

Related terms of
time

Source

Definition of time from the Collins English Dictionary
Word of the day
plenilunar
relating to a full moon
Scrabble score
for 'time':
6
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