timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

: one that times: such as

a

: timepiece

especially : a stopwatch for timing races

b

: timekeeper

c

: a device (such as a clock) that indicates by a sound the end of an interval of time or that starts or stops a device at predetermined times

Synonyms

• chronometer
• clock
• timekeeper
• timepiece

Examples of timer in a Sentence

He was the official timer for the race.

She set the timer on the oven for one hour.

The timer is set to go off in 15 minutes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Set up tables for two, brainstorm conversation starters and keep the night moving with a timer. —Maggie Griswold, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025

The Virtuoso’s digital timer, however, is great for those wanting consistent coffee ground dosings each morning. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 1 Apr. 2025

Powering the Reverso Tribute Geographic is a brand-new movement, the hand-wound Calibre 834, which provides several notable features: Unlike on many world timer watches, the city ring on the world time display remains static, while the 24-hour ring rotates. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025

The artists don’t know the theme of their work until right before the timer starts. —Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing timer

• all-timer
• egg timer
• full-timer
• old-timer
• one-timer

Rhymes for timer

• climber
• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer

Kids Definition

timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

1

a

: timepiece

b

: timekeeper sense 2

2

: a clocklike device that turns something on or off at a set time or gives a signal at the end of a period of time