downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm 

1

: time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs

2

: inactive time (such as time between periods of work)

napping during our downtime

an injured athlete facing months of downtime

Synonyms

• winter
• break

Examples of downtime in a Sentence

After a busy day at work, I look forward to some downtime at home.

The kids napped during their downtime.

We need to minimize network downtime.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other hand, passion for work was shown to be positively related to engaging in mastery and control experiences during downtime. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Produced by Omar El Kadi) After break-up, Assia seeks downtime with her family which has just opened a restaurant in Spain. —John Hopewell, Variety, 30 June 2025

Players and staff tended to have two to four hours of downtime each day and were allowed to wander the city as the risk of being mobbed was so low. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 June 2025

For your downtime Going out Music: Blue Note LA reveals opening calendar of acts including Robert Glasper, Charlie Puth and Killer Mike. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downtime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime