Time

time

time (tim) noun

1. Abbr. t., T.
   1. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.
   2. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.
   3. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.
   4. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 A.M.
   5. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.
2. Noun
   1. Often times An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era: hard times; a time of troubles.
   2. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times.
3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one's life.
4. Noun
   1. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.
   2. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.
   3. A period at one's disposal: Do you have time for a chat?
5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near.
6. Noun
   1. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.
   2. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers.
7. Noun
   1. One's lifetime.
   2. One's period of greatest activity or engagement.
   3. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.
8. Noun
   1. A period of military service.
   2. A period of apprenticeship.
   3. Informal. A prison sentence.
9. Noun
   1. The customary period of work: hired for full time.
   2. The period spent working.
   3. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays.
10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: "There's television time to buy" (Brad Goldstein).
11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time.
12. Music.
    1. The characteristic beat of musical rhythm: three-quarter time.
    2. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo.
13. .Chiefly British. The hour at which a pub closes.
14. Sports. A time-out.

adjective

1. Of, relating to, or measuring time.
2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release.
3. Payable on a future date or dates.
4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments.

verb, transitive

timed, timing, times

1. To set the time for (an event or occasion).
2. To adjust to keep accurate time.
3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely.
4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner.
5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process.

• - idiom.
  • against time
  • With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline.
  • at one time
    1. Simultaneously.
    2. At a period or moment in the past.
  • at the same time
  • However; nonetheless.
  • at times
  • On occasion; sometimes.
  • behind the times
  • Out-of-date; old-fashioned.
  • for the time being
  • Temporarily.
  • from time to time
  • Once in a while; at intervals.
  • high time
  • Long overdue: It's high time that you started working.
  • in good time
    1. In a reasonable length of time.
    2. When or before due.
    3. Quickly.
  • in no time
  • Almost instantly; immediately.
  • in time
    1. Before a time limit expires.
    2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts.
    3. Music. In the proper tempo.
  • on time
    1. According to schedule; punctual or punctually.
    2. By paying in installments.
  • time after time
  • Again and again; repeatedly.
  • time and again
  • Again and again; repeatedly.
  • time of (one's) life
  • A highly pleasurable experience: We had the time of our lives at the beach.
  • time on (one's) hands
  • An interval with nothing to do.
  • time was
  • There was once a time: "Time was when [urban gangs] were part of a . . . subculture that inner-city adolescence outgrew" (George F. Will).

[Middle English, from Old English tima.]

Seme

References