time frame

noun

variants or less commonly timeframe

ˈtīm-ˌfrām 

: a period of time especially with respect to some action or project

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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

They were not able to finish the project within the established time frame.

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, the more than 200,000 IG followers Sweeney lost in that time frame is a drop in the bucket, representing less than 1% of her more than 25 million followers. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

In a two-year time frame between 2023 and 2025, Cook Children’s treated 121 children who were accidentally shot and injured. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

These investments tend to be shorter in duration than a typical investment-grade bond, often in the one-to-three-year time frame. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Diesel, which is used in manufacturing, shipping and transportation, and can have an outsized role in producer and consumer prices, has rocketed 59% higher in that same time frame. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for time frame

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame