pastime

noun

pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm How to pronounce pastime (audio)
: 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.
What follows is a rich, nostalgic look at one of our most cherished national pastimes and a remarkable story about fathers and sons, love and family and the inimitable joy of finding your way home. Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Cosmic Baseball offers an electric new take on America’s pastime that features UV-reflective neon balls and fluorescent jerseys, and is played before screaming fans and children lucky enough to score tickets. Sam Brock, NBC news, 29 June 2025 Leveraging both legacy and social media, off-track entertainment, and even a buildout of F1 Arcade restaurants to accommodate fans who can’t make it to the races, the mission is to make F1 nothing less than a new American pastime. Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 26 June 2025 His fur has grown back, he's gained healthy weight, and he's even returned to sunbathing—his favorite pastime. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pastime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastime. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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
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