time frame
noun
Did you know?
time frame or timeframe?
Should time frame be written as one word or two? At present, it is most commonly styled as two words with no hyphen in between.
Compounds, or “words consisting of components that are words,” come in three varieties: open (two words with a space between them, such as lima bean), hyphenated (two words with a hyphen between them, such as runner-up), and closed (one word, such as rowboat). In some cases, competing compound stylings appear in different publications. This is generally acceptable as long as the spelling remains consistent throughout a book or periodical.
Compounds have a tendency to move from open to closed as time goes by, and our evidence suggests that time frame is headed in this direction. At this point, however, the open compound is far more prevalent.
Examples of time frame in a Sentence
Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
The preliminary design will include a rough time frame and cost estimate for construction that planners will review before proceeding to the next stage of the project, according to officials at the San Diego Regional Planning Agency.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
As for Christmas travel, according to Google, prices have historically been lowest 51 days before departure, meaning the ideal time frame for booking Christmas flights is in late October.
—Michelle Baran, AFAR Media, 29 Sep. 2025
Instead, Mason suggests specifying the purpose and time frame of your request.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time frame
Cite this Entry
“Time frame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time%20frame. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share