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

The electrician wiring a data center is building the backbone of the AI boom, where a single error can cost millions in downtime. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

The downtime means that Rodriguez’s innings would have been limited anyway, so starting him later in the season would fit into a conservative plan for his return. —Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026

Unlike conventional industrial automation, the system requires no custom tooling and supports mixed-model production, enabling faster changeovers and significantly reducing downtime. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026

The player has been enjoying his downtime, including a vacation to an undisclosed, tropical-looking destination last month with his whole crew. —Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 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