definition of Time

time |tīm|
noun


1 the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole : travel through space and time | one of the greatest wits of all time.
• the progress of this as affecting people and things : things were getting better as time passed.
• time or an amount of time as reckoned by a conventional standard : it's eight o'clock Eastern Standard Time.
• ( Time or Father Time) the personification of time, typically as an old man with a scythe and hourglass.
2 a point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon : the time is 9:30.
• a moment or definite portion of time allotted, used, or suitable for a purpose : the scheduled departure time | should we set a time for the meeting?
• (often time for/to do something) the favorable or appropriate time to do something; the right moment : it was time to go | it's time for bed.
• ( a time) an indefinite period : traveling always distorts one's feelings for a time.
• (also times) a more or less definite portion of time in history or characterized by particular events or circumstances : Victorian times | at the time of Galileo | the park is beautiful at this time of year.
• (also times) the conditions of life during a particular period : times have changed.
• ( the Times) used in names of newspapers : The New York Times.
• ( one's time) one's lifetime : I've known a lot of women in my time.
• ( one's time) the successful, fortunate, or influential part of a person's life or career : in my time that was unheard of.
• ( one's time) the appropriate or expected time for something, in particular childbirth or death : he seemed old before his time.
• an apprenticeship : all of our foremen served their time on the loading dock.
• dated a period of menstruation or pregnancy.
• the normal rate of pay for time spent working : if called out on weekends, they are paid time and a half.
• the length of time taken to run a race or complete an event or journey : his time for the mile was 3:49.31.
• (in sports) a moment at which play is stopped temporarily within a game, or the act of calling for this : the umpire called time.
• Soccer the end of the game : he scored five minutes from time.
3 time as allotted, available, or used : we need more time | it would be a waste of time.
• informal a prison sentence : he was doing time for fraud.
4 an instance of something happening or being done; an occasion : this is the first time I have gotten into debt | the nurse came in four times a day.
• an event, occasion, or period experienced in a particular way : we had a good time | she was having a rough time of it.
5 ( times) (following a number) expressing multiplication : five goes into fifteen three times | it burns calories four times faster than walking.
6 the rhythmic pattern of a piece of music, as expressed by a time signature : tunes in waltz time.
• the tempo at which a piece of music is played or marked to be played.
verb
1 [ trans. or infinitive ] plan, schedule, or arrange when (something) should happen or be done : the first track race is timed for 11:15 | the bomb had been timed to go off an hour later.
• perform (an action) at a particular moment : Williams timed his pass perfectly from about thirty yards.
2 [ trans. ] measure the time taken by (a process or activity, or a person doing it) : we were timed and given certificates according to our speed | [with clause ] I timed how long it took to empty that tanker.
3 [ trans. ] ( time something out) Computing (of a computer or a program) cancel an operation automatically because a predefined interval of time has passed without a certain event happening.
PHRASES
about time used to convey that something now happening or about to happen should have happened earlier : it's about time I came clean and admitted it.
against time with utmost speed, so as to finish by a specified time : he was working against time.
ahead of time earlier than expected or required.
ahead of one's time having ideas too enlightened or advanced to be accepted by one's contemporaries.
all the time at all times. • very frequently or regularly : we were in and out of each other's houses all the time.
at one time in or during a known but unspecified past period : she was a nurse at one time.
at the same time 1 simultaneously; at once. 2 nevertheless (used to introduce a fact that should be taken into account) : I can't really explain it, but at the same time I'm not convinced.
at a time separately in the specified groups or numbers : he took the stairs two at a time.
at times sometimes; on occasions.
before time before the due or expected time.
behind time late.
behind the times not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques; out of date.
for the time being for the present; until some other arrangement is made.
give someone the time of day [usu. with negative ] be pleasantly polite or friendly to someone : I wouldn't give him the time of day if I could help it.
half the time as often as not.
have no time for be unable or unwilling to spend time on : he had no time for anything except essays and projects. • dislike or disapprove of : he's got no time for airheads.
have the time 1 be able to spend the time needed to do something : she didn't have the time to look very closely. 2 know from having a watch what time it is.
in ( less than) no time very quickly or very soon : the video has sold 30,000 copies in no time.
in one's own time (also in one's own good time) at a time and a rate decided by oneself.
in time 1 not late; punctual : I came back in time for Molly's party. 2 eventually : there is the danger that he might, in time, not be able to withstand temptation. 3 in accordance with the appropriate musical rhythm or tempo.
keep good (or bad) time 1 (of a clock or watch) record time accurately (or inaccurately). 2 (of a person) be habitually punctual (or not punctual).
keep time play or rhythmically accompany music in time.
lose no time do a specified thing immediately or as soon as possible : the administration lost no time in trying to regain the initiative.
no time a very short interval or period : the renovations were done in no time.
on one's own time outside working hours; without being paid.
on time punctual; punctually : the train was on time | we paid our bills on time.
out of time 1 at the wrong time or period : I felt that I was born out of time. • not following or maintaining the correct rhythm (of music) : every time we get to this part in the song, you are out of time. 2 with no time remaining to continue or complete something, esp. a task for which a specific amount of time had been allowed : I knew the answers to all the essay questions, but I ran out of time.
pass the time of day exchange greetings or casual remarks.
time after time (also time and again or time and time again) on very many occasions; repeatedly.
time and tide wait for no man proverb if you don't make use of a favorable opportunity, you may never get the same chance again.
time immemorial used to refer to a point of time in the past that was so long ago that people have no knowledge or memory of it : markets had been held there from time immemorial.
time is money proverb time is a valuable resource, therefore it is better to do things as quickly as possible.
the time of one's life a period or occasion of exceptional enjoyment.
time out of mind another way of saying time immemorial .
time was there was a time when : time was, each street had its own specialized trade.
( only) time will tell the truth or correctness of something will (only) be established at some time in the future.
ORIGIN Old English tīma, of Germanic origin; related to tide , which it superseded in temporal senses. The earliest of the current verb senses (dating from late Middle English ) is [do (something) at a particular moment.]