: of, relating to, or constituting a motion picture made so that when projected a slow action (such as the opening of a flower bud) appears to be speeded up

Examples of time-lapse 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.
As the embryos settled in overnight, the researchers recorded time-lapse videos with a microscope. Rob Stein, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025 Dark grey smoke could be seen billowing as the explosion occurred during a time-lapse video shared by ABC affiliate WTAE. Jillian Frankel, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025 The glowing cloud rose almost gracefully, like a time-lapse film of a flower blooming. Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025 Video shows time-lapse of Gifford wildfire A time-lapse video shows the wildfire approaching Plowshare Peak, California, on Friday, Aug. 1, into Saturday, Aug. 2. Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for time-lapse

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of time-lapse was in 1926

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Cite this Entry

“Time-lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time-lapse. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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