downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm 

1

: time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs

2

: inactive time (such as time between periods of work)

napping during our downtime

an injured athlete facing months of downtime

Synonyms of downtime

• winter
• break

Examples of downtime in a Sentence

After a busy day at work, I look forward to some downtime at home.

The kids napped during their downtime.

We need to minimize network downtime.

Recent Examples on the Web

Opting for minimally invasive treatments with less downtime afforded me the flexibility to explore the city and schedule treatments close together. — Anna Haines, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

Can it be changed without downtime and a technician in a van? — Peter Kellis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The company says this could improve system visibility while reducing downtime, warranty exposure, and costs associated with maintenance and battery augmentation. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Cruise's schedule apparently leaves little room for traditional downtime. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downtime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime