residence time

noun

: the duration of persistence of a mass or substance in a medium or place (such as the atmosphere)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The bacterial transfer rate to food decreased as the bacterial residence time on the surface increased from 2, 4, 8 to 24 h with transfers of 6.5, 4.8, 4.6 and 3.9 log CFU ml(-1) in the rinse solutions, respectively. —

Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'residence time.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of residence time was in 1954

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Residence time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residence%20time. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.

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