time frame
noun
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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
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026
Homeowners and renters insurance prices were up about 7% over the same time frame, according to CPI data, largely due to insurers accounting for the financial risk posed by climate change, Zandi said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Articles will soon appear in the local newspaper asking people who may have visited the post office or Target or the indoor playground on various days during various time frames to call the public-health office.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
As authorities continue investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, their attention may have zeroed in on time frames weeks before the 84-year-old vanished from her home.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
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 19 Feb. 2026.
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