at a time

phrase

1

: during one particular moment

I can only do one thing at a time.

Please speak one at a time and not all at once.

We carried the boxes two at a time up the stairs.

2

: during one period of time without stopping

She can sit and read for hours at a time.

Examples of at a time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then in August 2021, Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans, so the couple brought Family Meal back at a time when many were not just without food, but water and electricity. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Reduce speed to medium-low and add 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature, 1 piece at a time, letting dough absorb butter completely before adding the next piece. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

Jana Partners is now pushing Fiserv to examine the entire portfolio rather than sell assets one at a time. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Night after night, Swift would perform for more than three hours, running back her career one era at a time, each one its own world with distinctive sets, costumes, and colors. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for at a time

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime