time

¹time

noun \ˈtīm\

Definition of TIME

1

a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues : duration

b : a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future

c : leisure <time for reading>

2

: the point or period when something occurs : occasion

3

a : an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <arrived ahead of time>

b : an opportune or suitable moment <decided it was time to retire> —often used in the phrase about time <about time for a change>

4

a : a historical period : age

b : a division of geologic chronology

c : conditions at present or at some specified period —usually used in plural <times are hard> <move with the times>

d : the present time <issues of the time>

5

a : lifetime

b : a period of apprenticeship

c : a term of military service

d : a prison sentence

6

: season <very hot for this time of year>

7

a : rate of speed : tempo

b : the grouping of the beats of music : rhythm

8

a : a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it>

b : any of various systems (as sidereal or solar) of reckoning time

9

a : one of a series of recurring instances or repeated actions <you've been told many times>

b plural (1) : added or accumulated quantities or instances <five times greater> (2) : equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity <seven times smaller> <three times closer>

c : turn <three times at bat>

10

: finite as contrasted with infinite duration

11

: a person's experience during a specified period or on a particular occasion <a good time> <a hard time>

12

a : the hours or days required to be occupied by one's work <make up time> <on company time>

b : an hourly pay rate <straight time>

c : wages paid at discharge or resignation <pick up your time and get out>

13

a : the playing time of a game

b : time-out 1

14

: a period during which something is used or available for use <computer time>

— at the same time

: nevertheless, yet <slick and at the same time strangely unprofessional — Gerald Weaks>

— at times

: at intervals : occasionally

— for the time being

: for the present

— from time to time

: once in a while : occasionally

— in no time

: very quickly or soon

— in time

1

: sufficiently early

2

: eventually

3

: in correct tempo <learn to play in time>

— on time

1

a : at the appointed time

b : on schedule

2

: on the installment plan

— time and again

: frequently, repeatedly

Examples of TIME

1. The two events were separated by time and space.
2. The poem is a reflection on the passage of time.
3. What was happening at that particular moment in time?
4. It has been that way since the beginning of time.
5. If only I could travel back in time and do things differently.
6. They were given a relatively short amount of time to finish the job.
7. The situation has been getting more complicated as time goes by .
8. happening for an extended period of time
9. Would you prefer the meeting to be at an earlier time?
10. Feel free to call me at any time, day or night.

Origin of TIME

Middle English, from Old English tīma; akin to Old Norse tīmi time, Old English tīd — more at tide

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TIME

Synonyms

moment, occasion

Related Words

flash, instant, jiffy, minute, second, shake, split second, trice, twinkle, wink; bit, space, spell, stretch, while

Near Antonyms

bore, bummer, bust, downer, drag

²time

verb

timedtim·ing

Definition of TIME

transitive verb

1

a : to arrange or set the time of : schedule

b : to regulate (a watch) to keep correct time

2

: to set the tempo, speed, or duration of <timed his leap perfectly — Neil Amdur>

3

: to cause to keep time with something

4

: to determine or record the time, duration, or rate of <time a horse>

5

: to dispose (as a mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired instant or in a desired way

intransitive verb

: to keep or beat time

Examples of TIME

1. They timed their vacation to coincide with the jazz festival.
2. He timed it so that he made the shot just before the clock ran out.
3. She timed the shot perfectly.
4. The runners are timed with special watches.
5. He timed the students as they completed their tests.

First Known Use of TIME

14th century

³time

adjective

Definition of TIME

1

a : of or relating to time

b : recording time

2

: timed to ignite or explode at a specific moment <a time charge>

3

a : payable on a specified future day or a certain length of time after presentation for acceptance <a time draft> <time deposits>

b : based on installment payments <a time sale>

First Known Use of TIME

circa 1711

time

noun \ˈtīm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TIME

1

a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues—see bleeding time, coagulation time, prothrombin time, reaction time b : a continuum which lacks spatial dimensions and in which events succeed one another from past through present to future

2

: the point or period when something occurs

3

: a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it>

time

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Measured or measurable period. More broadly, it is a continuum that lacks spatial dimensions. Philosophers have sought an understanding of time by focusing on the broad questions of the relation between time and the physical world and the relation between time and consciousness. Those who adopt an absolutist theory of time regard it as a kind of container within which the universe exists and change takes place, and believe that its existence and properties are independent of the physical universe. According to the rival relationist theory, time is nothing over and above change in the physical universe. Largely because of Albert Einstein, it is now held that time cannot be treated in isolation from space (see space-time). Some argue that Einstein's theories of relativity vindicate relationist theories, others that they vindicate the absolutist theory. The primary issue concerning the relation between time and consciousness is the extent, if any, to which time or aspects of time depend on the existence of conscious beings. Events in time are normally thought of in terms of notions of past, present, and future, which some philosophers treat as mind-dependent; others believe that time is independent of perception and hold that past, present, and future are objective features of the world. See also geologic time, Greenwich Mean Time, standard time, Universal Time.