1a. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. b. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.c. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.d. 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.e. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.2a. An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era. Often used in the plural: hard times; a time of troubles.b.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.4a. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.b. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.c. 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.6a. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.b.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.7a. One's lifetime. b. One's period of greatest activity or engagement. c. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.8a. A period of military service. b. A period of apprenticeship. c.Informal A prison sentence. 9a. The customary period of work: hired for full time.b. The period spent working. c. 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.Musica. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time.b. 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.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: timed, tim·ing, 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.
IDIOMS:
against time With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline.at one time1. 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 The appropriate or urgent time: It's high time that you started working.in good time1. In a reasonable length of time. 2. When or before due. 3. Quickly. in no time Almost instantly; immediately. in time1. Before a time limit expires. 2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts.3.Musica. In the proper tempo. b. Played with a meter. on time1. 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).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English tma. See d- in Appendix I.
t
m
- in Appendix I.
