stopwatch

noun

stop·​watch ˈstäp-ˌwäch 

: a watch with a hand or a digital display that can be started and stopped at will for exact timing (as of a race)

Examples of stopwatch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For most of the 20th century, intelligence research took place, quite literally, in a room with a stopwatch. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

In many places, no one is standing by with a stopwatch to enforce the rule. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 26 June 2026

On Friday at the Tribeca Festival, Madonna‘s appearance at a world premiere drew frenzied ovations that could never be timed on a stopwatch – before, during and after the 90-minute event at the Beacon Theatre. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 June 2026

The moves cap a period of turmoil for the venerable newsmagazine that premiered in 1968 and is known for its ticking stopwatch. — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stopwatch

• hopscotch
• wristwatch
• boche
• botch
• brough
• crotch
• gotch
• notch
• rotch
• scotch
• swatch
• watch

Kids Definition

stopwatch

noun

stop·​watch ˈstäp-ˌwäch 

: a watch having a hand or a digital display that can be started and stopped for exact timing (as of a race)