n. 1. the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future, regarded as a whole.
2. a point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon. > the favourable or appropriate moment to do something: it was time to go. > (a time) an indefinite period: he worked for a time as a gardener > (also times) a more or less definite portion of time characterized by particular events or circumstances: Victorian times. > (one's time) a period regarded as characteristic of a particular stage of one's life. > the length of time taken to run a race or complete an activity. > informal a prison sentence. > an apprenticeship.
3. Brit. the moment at which the opening hours of a public house end. > Baseball & American Football a moment at which play stops temporarily within a game.
4. time as allotted, available, or used: a waste of time.
5. the normal rate of pay for time spent working: they are paid time and a half.
6. an instance of something happening or being done: the nurse came in four times a day.
7. (times) (following a number) expressing multiplication.
8. the rhythmic pattern or tempo of a piece of music.
v. 1. arrange a time for: > perform at a particular time.
2. measure the time taken by.
3. (time something out) Computing (of a computer or a program) cancel an operation automatically because a predefined interval of time has passed.
4 (times) informal multiply (a number).
PHRASES:
about time conveying that something should have happened earlier: all the time at all times. > very frequently or regularly: at the same time 1 simultaneously. 2 nevertheless. at a time separately in the specified groups or numbers: he took the stairs two at a time. behind the times not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques. for the time being until some other arrangement is made. have no time for be unable or unwilling to spend time on. > dislike or disapprove of. In time 1 not late. 2 eventually. 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. on time punctual; punctually. pass the time of day exchange greetings or casual remarks. time immemorial a point of time in the distant past beyond recall or knowledge. the time of one's life a period or occasion of exceptional enjoyment. time out of mind another way of saying time immemorial. time will tell the truth about something will be established in the future.
ORIGIN OE tima, of Gmc origin; rel to TIDE, which is superseded in temporal senses.
From The Concise Oxford Dictionary
