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

As these first-timers prepare for the pressure of playing under the Grand Casino Arena rooftop, Luoma is a guiding light for this moment as a former three-time Olympian who took home three medals with Team USA women's hockey between 1998 and 2006. —Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Colbert is a short-timer now at CBS. —David Bauder, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026

Getting dressed and made up The categories for makeup and costume design provided first-timers and a prior Oscar winner. —Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

Below, keep reading to hear what Jessica and more Allure editors have to say about the new Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation, a group that includes both first-timers and long-time fans. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Feb. 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