downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm How to pronounce downtime (audio)
Synonyms of downtimenext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jacqueline Carlon, senior vice president of marketing and communications for AerSale, said airlines evaluating the system focus on certification, installation downtime and integration into existing operations. Amalia Roy, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026 Extended downtime can also damage equipment. David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 All the while, there is no unplanned downtime. Eric Herzog, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The robot is designed for 24/7 operation, with autonomous charging and hot-swappable dual batteries minimizing downtime. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for downtime

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downtime was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Downtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtime. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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