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

The teaser trails follows Hiroto, a relaxed 29-year-old part-timer, through his daily routine in the Asagaya neighborhood. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Use the clever rainbow timer to visually track daily schedules or wind down with a soft, gradual wake-up glow. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

This is relatively compact and seems best suited as a guest house or vacation home than a full timer, with a snug two-seater sofa facing the double glass door entrance. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Use App Limits and Downtime on iPhone or App timers and Focus mode on Android. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 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