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

The Astronomical Society of Australia has recently published a website about the 2028 eclipse, which includes a countdown timer and advice on safely watching the eclipse. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Once your timer goes off, leave the oven door closed and set a new timer for 45 minutes. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 July 2025

Generations of locals spread through Lions Park, some first timers and plenty of yearly attendees. —Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025

But the microwave timer became an unexpected punchline. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 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