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

• 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

Like the bomb planted on the train in Episode 3, it is both set to a timer and pressure-sensitive. —Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

For first-timers, don’t expect an easy drive; getting there requires a high-clearance vehicle since the road to Desert Bar is unpaved with some dips and washboard sections. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025

When the timer goes off, put down your cleaning tools because your work is done for the day. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025

Introduce someone to the Ice Age Trail and hike with a first-timer. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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