pastime

noun

pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm How to pronounce pastime (audio)
Synonyms of pastimenext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These pastimes allow mental engagement without overload. Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026 Which, of course, soon became more than a pastime. Elena Banfi, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026 Kaplan says birding and hiking are particularly popular pastimes. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026 Tyler also loves keeping up with her older sisters, joining them in activities like swimming, arcade games and soccer, among pastimes. Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pastime

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastime was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pastime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastime. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

pastime

noun
pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm How to pronounce pastime (audio)
: something that helps to make time pass agreeably

More from Merriam-Webster on pastime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!