time frame

noun

variants or less commonly timeframe

ˈtīm-ˌfrām 

: a period of time especially with respect to some action or project

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time frame or timeframe?

Should time frame be written as one word or two? At present, it is most commonly styled as two words with no hyphen in between.

Compounds, or “words consisting of components that are words,” come in three varieties: open (two words with a space between them, such as lima bean), hyphenated (two words with a hyphen between them, such as runner-up), and closed (one word, such as rowboat). In some cases, competing compound stylings appear in different publications. This is generally acceptable as long as the spelling remains consistent throughout a book or periodical.

Compounds have a tendency to move from open to closed as time goes by, and our evidence suggests that time frame is headed in this direction. At this point, however, the open compound is far more prevalent.

Examples of time frame in a Sentence

They were not able to finish the project within the established time frame.

Recent Examples on the Web

Include the starting situation, scope, time frame and limits of the result. — Dennis Kirwan, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

In addition, Saint Laurent is aiming to double its sales to VICs by 2030, and to double its business in Asia within the same time frame. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Judging by how things went at Paris Fashion Week this season, only some designers will get there in the same time frame, if at all. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Navigating strict municipal planning regulations and tight seasonal building time frames, the team enclosed existing outdoor terraces to gain additional interior space. — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for time frame

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame