First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1time
noun \ˈtīm\
: the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, etc.
: a particular minute or hour shown by a clock
: the time in a particular area or part of the world
Full Definition of TIME
1
2
: the point or period when something occurs : occasion
3
a : an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <arrived ahead of time> b : an opportune or suitable moment <decided it was time to retire> —often used in the phrase about time <about time for a change>
4
a : a historical period : age b : a division of geologic chronology c : conditions at present or at some specified period —usually used in plural <times are hard> <move with the times> d : the present time <issues of the time>
5
6
: season <very hot for this time of year>
8
a : a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it> b : any of various systems (as sidereal or solar) of reckoning time
9
a : one of a series of recurring instances or repeated actions <you've been told many times> b plural (1) : added or accumulated quantities or instances <five times greater> (2) : equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity <seven times smaller> <three times closer> c : turn <three times at bat>
10
: finite as contrasted with infinite duration
11
: a person's experience during a specified period or on a particular occasion <a good time> <a hard time>
12
a : the hours or days required to be occupied by one's work <make up time> <on company time> b : an hourly pay rate <straight time> c : wages paid at discharge or resignation <pick up your time and get out>
13
a : the playing time of a game b : time-out 1
14
: a period during which something is used or available for use <computer time>
— at the same time
: nevertheless, yet <slick and at the same time strangely unprofessional — Gerald Weaks>
— at times
: at intervals : occasionally
— for the time being
: for the present
— from time to time
: once in a while : occasionally
— in no time
: very quickly or soon
— in time
— on time
1
a : at the appointed time b : on schedule
2
: on the installment plan
— time and again
See time defined for English-language learners
See time defined for kids
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Origin of TIME
Middle English, from Old English tīma; akin to Old Norse tīmi time, Old English tīd — more at tide
2time
verb
: to choose the hour, day, month, etc., when (something) will happen : to schedule (something, such as an event) to happen at a particular time
sports : to cause (something, such as a throw or pass) to happen at a certain moment
: to measure the amount of time needed by someone to do something (such as to finish a race)
timedtim·ing
Full Definition of TIME
transitive verb
1
a : to arrange or set the time of : schedule b : to regulate (a watch) to keep correct time
2
: to set the tempo, speed, or duration of <timed his leap perfectly — Neil Amdur>
3
: to cause to keep time with something
4
: to determine or record the time, duration, or rate of <time a horse>
5
: to dispose (as a mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired instant or in a desired way
intransitive verb
: to keep or beat time
See time defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TIME
14th century
3time
adjective
Definition of TIME
1
a : of or relating to time b : recording time
2
: timed to ignite or explode at a specific moment <a time charge>
3
a : payable on a specified future day or a certain length of time after presentation for acceptance <a time draft> <time deposits> b : based on installment payments <a time sale>
First Known Use of TIME
circa 1711
ON TIME Defined for Kids
1time
noun \ˈtīm\
Definition of TIME for Kids
1
: a period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues <We've been friends for a long time.> <“Then it'll look like it was supposed to be there all the time.” — Megan McDonald, Judy Moody>
2
: a point or period when something occurs : occasion <Remember the time I helped you?>
3
: one of a series of repeated instances or actions <They visited him many times.>
4
: a moment, hour, day, or year as shown by a clock or calendar <What time is it?>
5
: a set or usual moment or hour for something to occur <We arrived on time.> <It's time to take your medicine.>
6
: a historical period : age <in ancient times>
7
: conditions of a period —usually used in pl. <hard times>
8
times plural : added quantities or examples <five times greater>
9
: a person's experience during a certain period <She had a good time.>
10
: a part of the day when a person is free to do as he or she pleases <I found time to read.>
11
: rate of speed : tempo
12
: a system of determining time <solar time>
13
: rhythm
— at times
: sometimes <We were, at times, very happy.>
— for the time being
: for the present
— from time to time
: once in a while
— in time
1
: soon enough
2
: as time goes by : eventually <The missing items will reappear in time.>
3
: at the correct speed in music
— time after time
: over and over again
— time and again
: over and over again
2time
verb
timedtim·ing
Definition of TIME for Kids
1
: to arrange or set the point or rate at which something happens <The dryer was timed to run for half an hour.>
2
: to measure or record the point at which something happens, the length of the period it takes for something to happen, or the rate at which certain actions take place <All the racers were timed.>
— tim·er noun
Medical Dictionary
time
noun \ˈtīm\
Medical Definition of TIME
1
a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues—see bleeding time, coagulation time, prothrombin time, reaction time b : a continuum which lacks spatial dimensions and in which events succeed one another from past through present to future
2
: the point or period when something occurs
3
: a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <what time is it>
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