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

Sullivan and Hafley might be first-timers in their jobs. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

During the trials, the webcams were blocked with a pair of plastic shutters until the timer started, to ensure that the machine didn’t get a head start. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026

Glaser will have emceed the show more times than any other host(s) save for Ricky Gervais, a five-timer, and the team of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, four-timers. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026

The stainless steel timer comes in Caraway’s core colors, including a classic cream, sage green, and mustard yellow. —Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 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