by the time
idiom
: at the time : when
I had lived in 12 different cities by the time I turned 18.
By the time she showed up, I was finished eating.
Examples of by the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The star will have been on the road for more than a year by the time the trek concludes in December with three shows in Mexico City.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Several had dropped out of the process by the time the hearing began Monday afternoon.
—Ilana Arougheti
updated October 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Many had long since grown tired of the rules by the time they were discarded in 2023.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The evening's menu will be inspired by the time period and be accompanied by cocktails of the era.
—Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the time
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.
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Several had dropped out of the process by the time the hearing began Monday afternoon.
—Ilana Arougheti
updated October 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Many had long since grown tired of the rules by the time they were discarded in 2023.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The evening's menu will be inspired by the time period and be accompanied by cocktails of the era.
—Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by the time
Cite this Entry
“By the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20time. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share