millisecond

noun

mil·​li·​sec·​ond ˈmi-lə-ˌse-kənd How to pronounce millisecond (audio)
-kənt
: one thousandth of a second

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A millisecond isn't long enough for the blink of an eye, but a few milliseconds may determine the winner of a swim race or a hundred-yard dash. With the ever-increasing speed of modern technology, even a millisecond has started to seem a little sluggish; computer operations are now measured in nanoseconds—that is, billionths of a second.

Examples of millisecond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finance, Trading, Market Analysis Market volatility is notoriously difficult to analyze, let alone predict upcoming fluctuations, which means the ability to make decisions and take action in milliseconds can make or break any investment strategy. Gary Fowler, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 The electronic differential adjusts the torque balance between the left and right rear wheels, going from fully open to fully locked (or vice-versa) in 135 milliseconds. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024 This is one of the main reasons HE switches are popular in esports and competitive gaming, where milliseconds matter. Henri Robbins, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024 The technology uses an optical scanner trained to spot aluminum in 10-15 milliseconds and then sends a signal to a robotic arm to grab it. Monica Eng, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for millisecond 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of millisecond was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near millisecond

Cite this Entry

“Millisecond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/millisecond. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

millisecond

noun
mil·​li·​sec·​ond ˈmil-ə-ˌsek-ənd How to pronounce millisecond (audio)
 also  -ənt
: one thousandth of a second

Medical Definition

millisecond

noun
mil·​li·​sec·​ond ˈmil-ə-ˌsek-ənd, -ənt How to pronounce millisecond (audio)
: one thousandth of a second
abbreviation ms, msec
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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