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

Equipped with smart features like air quality sensors, adjustable fan speeds, automatic timer and more. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Use a remote shutter/timer to prevent camera wobble. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026

At this point — nominations will be announced May 5 — eligible play revivals should include some other Broadway first-timers like Becky Shaw, Bug and Marjorie Prime. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026

With his April 4 episode, Black joined the show's five-timers club, an informal group of stars who have hosted the show that many times. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Apr. 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