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

Radioactive isotopes are trapped in the forming crystals, slowly decaying and providing a natural timer for the rock’s age. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Just then, Hattie’s refrigerator loudly buzzed like a timer on a game show. —Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025

In photographer and filmmaker Gabriel Moses’ debut short film, The Last Hour, a man wakes up to find he’s got a timer attached to his chest. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025

This tower fan oscillates 90 degrees and features four speeds and a timer. —Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 June 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