timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

: one that times: such as

a

: timepiece

especially : a stopwatch for timing races

b

: timekeeper

c

: a device (such as a clock) that indicates by a sound the end of an interval of time or that starts or stops a device at predetermined times

Synonyms of timer

• clock

Examples of timer in a Sentence

He was the official timer for the race.

She set the timer on the oven for one hour.

The timer is set to go off in 15 minutes.

Recent Examples on the Web

With a young roster and first-timers at head coach and in all three coordinator spots, this could be a fascinating experiment. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The company is including a handful of additional apps like a timer, a todo list, and a reading stats tracker. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 6 Sep. 2026

Right now, Simons said the team is focused on learning the sport, given many students are first-timers. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

This world timer has a first-of-its-kind system for adjusting for daylight saving time (DST). — Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing timer

• all-timer
• egg timer
• full-timer
• old-timer
• one-timer

Rhymes for timer

• climber
• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer

Kids Definition

timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

1

a

: timepiece

b

: timekeeper sense 2

2

: a clocklike device that turns something on or off at a set time or gives a signal at the end of a period of time