downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm 

1

: time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs

2

: inactive time (such as time between periods of work)

napping during our downtime

an injured athlete facing months of downtime

Synonyms of downtime

• winter
• break

Examples of downtime in a Sentence

After a busy day at work, I look forward to some downtime at home.

The kids napped during their downtime.

We need to minimize network downtime.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Emcee During downtime, Bill Sindelar was tasked with emcee duties and kept spirits high. —Haley Kluge, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

By day there are parades, rat control events, and grand juries to attend, but night is when the mayor comes alive, at crypto coin launch events, sweaty outer borough raves sponsored by a new credit card, and downtime at his pad in Fort Lee. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

The Alma Hybrid combines ablative and non-ablative laser technology to reduce wrinkles, improve texture, and rejuvenate skin with minimal downtime. —Nick Franck, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Such prolonged downtime is not feasible for a commercial power plant. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downtime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime