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

First-timers may be surprised to learn that not everything is included on their voyage. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026

Reset your timer for 20 more minutes. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026

Other cast includes Perah Bar Miniely (False Flag) and first-timer Bar Assraf who served as a tank-gunner in the actual unit the film is inspired by and who fought on October 7th. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

Two timers go for 15 or 30 minutes, and volume is adjustable. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 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