at a time

idiom

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

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The workers could be employed only by King and only for up to 10 months at a time. ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025 But at a time when strains of anti-intellectualism are on display in pockets of society, and at a time when all else in the world feels overwhelming, Yeo says she’s moved to see people express so much interest in educational pursuits. Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 Streamline the pantry Like bookshelves, pantries are a great place to work one shelf at a time. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025 Bui persisted, one conversation at a time. Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for at a time

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Cite this Entry

“At a time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20a%20time. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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