: of, relating to, being, or done with an instrument (such as a mass spectrometer) that separates particles (such as ions) according to the time required for them to traverse a tube of a certain length

Examples of time-of-flight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is accompanied by the dual-lens configuration, which enables real-time depth perception without requiring structured light or time-of-flight sensors. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025 Then, researchers used an optical aerosol spectrometer and a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer to measure the concentrations of two key indoor air pollutants: particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Sarah Garone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024 There's a time-of-flight sensor cooked in that allows for autofocus and auto keystone correction, which should make setup relatively painless. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024 Such time-of-flight measurement requires hours of scanning time to produce a resolution measured in centimeters. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of time-of-flight was in 1945

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time-of-flight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time-of-flight. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

time-of-flight

adjective
: of, relating to, being, or done with an instrument (as a mass spectrometer) that separates particles (as ions) according to the time required for them to traverse a tube of a certain length
a time-of-flight imaging system
time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography
abbreviation TOF
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!