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

Cologne police spokesman Christoph Bermel said the two male teenagers have not been charged but are considered suspects, and investigators were examining whether the robot's movements were preprogrammed or controlled in real time. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Some online commenters who saw the performance in real time during the Head Trip livestream noted what seemed to be sound issues during the performance’s first 30 minutes, with some saying the sound seemed clipped and distorted. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

The latest study indicates that all the decisions were taken in real time via an Android app. — Muskanbhatia, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

In seconds, the AI agent can check upcoming reservations to ensure the room is open, run the request against the housekeeping schedule, confirm the new checkout with the guest and update the folio in real time. — Amanda McGuckin Hager, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 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