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

Prosecutors said that during an interview with investigators after his arrest, Cole confessed to constructing the devices, filling them with explosive powder and setting the timers to detonate. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026

Part of the joy of dining here, especially for first timers, is watching the master slicers cut the meat for your sandwich to order. —Devra Ferst, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026

In addition, Cole allegedly kept buying bombmaking materials after the incident, Sharbaugh noted, including metal pipes, wire and a timer, all the way up to August of 2022. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Maximize Efficiency with the Delay Timer Become well acquainted with the delay timer on your washing machine to maximize your laundry power. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 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