timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər How to pronounce timer (audio)
: one that times: such as
a
: timepiece
especially : a stopwatch for timing races
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

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
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.
Avoiding distractions and staying on task are just easier with a timer. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025 Our commerce writer Julia Harrison writes that her Moccamaster One Cup is a delight, principally because of its simplicity as a drip coffee maker—free of extraneous frothers or digital interfaces or timers. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 This year, Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale includes several brands loved by PEOPLE readers and editors alike, and many of them are first-timers to price cuts like this. Shalwah Evans, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Users will appreciate the X2's sleek, modern design in addition to its smart features, which include variable speed control, a pulse function, a digital timer, and built-in wireless connectivity. Brittany Romano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for timer

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of timer was in 1648

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timer. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

timer

noun
tim·​er ˈtī-mər How to pronounce timer (audio)
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on timer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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