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

• chronometer
• clock
• timekeeper
• timepiece

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

Soon, the jealous Bruce and envious Ida take notice and the timers on Terry’s life and Vincent’s enterprise start ticking. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024

In the meantime, cast member Heidi Gardner unknowingly orders the Mile High Burger, a 95-ounce behemoth that comes with a 10-minute timer to eat the whole thing. —Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2024

When this feature is enabled, an additional horizontal tab appears on the dashboard, with a timer showing when your IP address is scheduled to change. —PCMAG, 7 Oct. 2024

Kitchen timer The home baker who multitasks is not satisfied with a phone timer alone. —Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing timer

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

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