real time

noun

: the actual time during which something takes place

… the computer may partly analyze the data in real time (as it comes in) …

—R. H. March

chatted online in real time

real-time

ˈrē(-ə)l-ˈtīm 

adjective

Examples of real time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Astonishing to watch Armand invent noir femme fatale aphorisms in real time. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026

The mission scenario validated the ability for a UAS to sense and characterize unknown threats, share data through DiSCO and leverage Hivemind to autonomously route follow-on UAS through a safe operating zone in real time, as per the release. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Wolfhard himself was only five years old when the Swift/West saga kicked off in real time, so memory of it is more connected to a South Park episode about it. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The intelligence community even stood up a special Foreign Malign Influence Center in 2022 to fight those activities in real time. — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for real time

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