Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
tilefish
tilework
tiling
till (1)
till (2)
till (3)
till (4)
tillage
tillandsia
tiller (1)
tiller (2)
tiller (3)
tillite
Tilsit
tilt (1)
tilt (2)
tilt hammer
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

time

time [ tīm ]


noun  (plural times)
Definition:
 
1. system of distinguishing events: a dimension that enables two identical events occurring at the same point in space to be distinguished, measured by the interval between the events.
Symbol  t


2. period with limits: a limited period during which an action, process, or condition exists or takes place
elapsed time

3. also Time method of measuring intervals: a system for measuring intervals of time
sidereal time
Central Daylight Time

4. minute or hour: the minute, hour, or similar measurement as indicated by a clock
What time is it?

5. time as causative force: time conceived as a force capable of acting on people and objects
time's ravages

6. moment something occurs: a moment or period at which something takes place
at the time of her 90th birthday

7. suitable moment: a moment or period chosen as appropriate for something to be done or to take place
The times for the games will be announced.

8. unallocated period: a period that is not allocated for a specific purpose
I had time on my hands.

9. period needed: a period required, allocated, or taken to complete an activity
How much time?

10. period with particular quality: a period, activity, or occasion that has a particular quality or characteristic ( often used in the plural )
They've been through some rough times.
We had an interesting time there.

11. appointed moment: a designated or customary moment or period at which something is done or takes place
It's time to get up.

12. U.K. closing time: the time at which a pub or bar is legally required to close

13. interval: a limited but unspecified period
We stayed for a time.

14. historical period: a period in history, often characterized by a particular event or person ( often used in the plural )
in Shakespeare's time
ancient times

15. the here and now: the present as distinguished from the past or future ( often used in the plural )
technology that is ahead of the times

16. geology geologic division: a chronological division of geologic history

17. anticipated moment: a moment in which an important event such as a birth or death is expected to happen
He knew his time had come.

18. somebody's lifetime: a period during which somebody is alive, especially the most active or productive period in somebody's life
She'd been a well-known athlete in her time.
We didn't worry about such trifles in my time.

19. apprenticeship period: a period during which somebody is an apprentice
had served his time

20. crime prison term: a term in prison ( informal )
serve time for robbery

21. military military service: a term of military service

22. season: a period during which particular climatic conditions prevail
the rainy times of the year

23. instance: a separate occasion of a recurring event
I told you three times.

24. music tempo of music: the relative speed at which a musical composition is played

25. music musical beat: the number of beats per measure of a musical composition

26. period worked: the period during a day or week that somebody works
working half time

27. pay rate: a rate of pay
paid double time

28. sports playing period: a period of play in a game

29. sports 
Same as  timeoutn (sense 1)




verb  (past and past participle timed, present participle tim·ing, 3rd person present singular times)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb measure how long something takes: to measure or record the duration, speed, or rate of something

2. transitive verb schedule something: to plan the moment or occasion for something, especially in order to achieve the best result or effect
time an entrance

3. transitive verb set time of something: to regulate or set the time of something such as a clock or a train's schedule

4. intransitive verb stay in rhythm: to keep time to a rhythmic or musical beat

[ Old English tīma "period of time" < Germanic, "extend"]

all in good time no sooner than is appropriate

all the time continuously

at one time 

1. 
at a time in the past
 

2. 
simultaneously


at the same time 

1. 
simultaneously
 

2. 
nevertheless


at times sometimes

behind the times out of touch with modern fashions, methods, or attitudes

bide your time to wait patiently for the right opportunity

for old times' sake in fond memory of the past
We had lunch at the café we used to frequent, for old times' sake.


for the time being for a short period of time starting from now

from time to time occasionally

have no time for somebody or something to regard somebody or something with dislike or contempt

have the time of your life to have a very enjoyable experience

in good time 

1. 
early enough
got there in good time so we could find a parking space
 

2. 
quickly


in (less than) no time in a very short period of time

in time 

1. 
early enough
We were in time for the concert.
 

2. 
after some time has passed
He'll understand in time that you were trying to help him.
 

3. 
in the correct rhythm
clapping in time to the music


in your own time at a speed or pace that feels natural and comfortable

keep time 

1. 
to show the time accurately
 

2. 
to do something in the correct rhythm, or in the same rhythm as somebody or something else


live on borrowed time to enjoy an unexpected extension of life

make time with somebody North America Northern England to pursue somebody as a sexual partner (informal)

mark time 

1. 
to continue marching in rhythm without moving forward
 

2. 
to do something that makes no contribution toward achieving a goal or ambition while awaiting an opportunity to make progress


on time at the scheduled time

once upon a time used at the beginning of fairy tales and children's stories to indicate that something happened a long time ago or in an imaginary world

on your own time not during working hours

pass the time of day (with somebody) to engage in casual conversation with somebody

play for time to delay action or a decision in the hope that conditions will be more favorable later on

take time out (from) to take a short break from work or another activity
took time out from her studies to travel for a year


take your time 

1. 
to take whatever time is necessary
 

2. 
to do something unacceptably slowly


time after time repeatedly

time out of mind for an extremely long time

time was there was a time in the past

time will tell it is impossible to know or judge something until some time in the future
Time will tell whether I have made the right decision.



Spelling Note

see thyme


Cultural Note

A Brief History of Time, a book (1988) by British physicist Stephen Hawking. This best-selling text aims to describe fundamental concepts in physics in terms that the general reader can understand. It covers a wide range of subjects, from the origin of the universe to the nature of time itself, and explains the theories put forward by other scientists such as Galileo, Newton, and Einstein.

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft