leap second

noun

: an intercalary second added to Coordinated Universal Time to compensate for the slowing of the earth's rotation and keep Coordinated Universal Time in synchrony with solar time

Examples of leap second in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While leap seconds have largely been absorbed into current mechanisms, experts say, a negative leap second — or, a minute with only 59 seconds — could pose an entirely new challenge. —

Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024 In the past 23 years, scientists have added only four leap seconds, according to Agnew. —

Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024 If Earth’s spin rate continues to slightly increase, eventually officials won’t need to add leap seconds anymore. —

Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024 The delay of the negative leap second comes from the acceleration of melting polar ice in Greenland and Antarctica, which is measured by satellite gravity, according to the study. —

Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leap second

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