screen time

noun

1

: the amount of time someone or something appears on screen in a movie or television show

… the widespread practice of product placement (in which companies buy screen time for their brands) …

—Celia Wren

Peck's role is only a cameo—23 minutes of screen time scattered through six and a half hours of edited film …

—John Skow

2

: time spent watching television, playing a video game, or using an electronic device with a screen (such as a smartphone or tablet)

Concerns about children spending too much time on digital devices—'screen time'—and becoming overdependent on these devices are very real for many teachers and parents.

—Nicky Hockly

If yours is like most American families with kids under age 5, your child probably watches between three and four hours of television a day. That's a lot of screen time …

—Debra Kent

Examples of screen time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Billy Crudup Jay Kelly While his co-star Adam Sandler is rightfully being recognized for his standout supporting role in the film, Crudup also delivers a master class in just a few minutes of screen time. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026

Toward the end of the year, many of us commit to ambitious, concrete goals like cutting your screen time in half or running three miles every morning. —Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026

From inbox management to limiting screen time, recycling old gadgets, and forming effective tab-closing habits, digital wellbeing comes in all shapes and sizes. —Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026

The proposal aims to curb excessive screen time and shield minors from online risks such as inappropriate content. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for screen time

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