n.
Pronunciation: ' t ī m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English t ī ma; akin to Old Norse t ī mi time, Old English t ī d ― more at TIDE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues : DURATION b : a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future c : LEISURE < time for reading>
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 < time s are hard> <move with the time s > d : the present time <issues of the time >
5 a : LIFETIME b : a period of apprenticeship c : a term of military service d : a prison sentence
6 : SEASON <very hot for this time of year>
7 a : rate of speed : TEMPO b : the grouping of the beats of music : RHYTHM
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 time s > b plural (1) : added or accumulated quantities or instances <five time s greater> (2) : equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity <seven time s smaller> <three time s closer> c : TURN <three time s 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
1 : sufficiently early
2 : EVENTUALLY
3 : in correct tempo <learn to play in time >
– on time
1 a : at the appointed time b : on schedule
2 : on the installment plan
– time and again : FREQUENTLY , REPEATEDLY