microsecond

noun

mi·​cro·​sec·​ond ˈmī-krō-ˌse-kənd 

-kənt

: one millionth of a second

Examples of microsecond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At hypersonic speeds, even a microsecond of thrust fluctuation can cause an interceptor to miss an incoming threat entirely. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

The camera read out 740 frames per second with exposures of 100 microseconds. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

In industries like high-frequency trading, microseconds already carry financial value. — Ivo Ivanov, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The microsecond a branch bumps an outdoor line, these smart systems detect the disruption and cut the power to that specific wire before a spark can even form. — Jasmine Garland, The Conversation, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for microsecond

• femtosecond
• millisecond
• nanosecond
• picosecond
• beckoned
• reckoned
• second
• seconde

Kids Definition

microsecond

noun

mi·​cro·​sec·​ond ˌmī-krō-ˈsek-ənd 

-ənt

: one millionth of a second

Medical Definition

microsecond

noun

mi·​cro·​sec·​ond ˈmī-krō-ˌsek-ənd, -ənt 

: one millionth of a second