pastime

noun

pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm 

: something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably : diversion

Her favorite pastime is gardening.

Baseball has been a national pastime for many years.

Examples of pastime in a Sentence

Baseball has been a national pastime for years.

Recent Examples on the Web

The investment marks Cuban’s first ownership interest in America’s favorite pastime after years of pursuing opportunities in the league. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 31 July 2026

And this when Infantino is in charge of the world’s favourite pastime, a truly global phenomenon. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing are favorite pastimes, with Galveston Bay giving easy access to the coast’s best inshore waters. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026

Explore how the game became a powerful symbol of the nation’s identity and earned its place as America’s pastime. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pastime

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

Kids Definition

pastime

noun

pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm 

: something that helps to make time pass agreeably