split-second

1 of 2

adjective

split-sec·​ond ˈsplit-ˈse-kənd 

1

: occurring in a split second

a split-second decision

2

: extremely precise

split-second timing

split second

2 of 2

noun

: a fractional part of a second : flash

Synonyms

Adjective

• immediate
• instant
• instantaneous
• straightaway

Noun

• beat
• eyeblink
• flash
• heartbeat
• instant
• jiff
• jiffy
• minute
• moment
• nanosecond
• New York minute
• second
• shake
• trice
• twinkle
• twinkling
• wink

Examples of split-second in a Sentence

Adjective

a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions

Noun

In a split second, it was all over.

a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the film, the news team needs to make split-second decisions that involve not just life or death issues but life or death issues that literally no one ever had to consider putting on live television before the events of September 5. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Dec. 2024

The pediatric dentist must use his or her unique expertise to make split-second decisions when a six-year-old child is squirming in the chair. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

The focus is fast enough to snap from close to distant subjects in a split second in most instances. —PCMAG, 11 Dec. 2024

Germany showed the danger of giving opponents even a split second of unmarked possession just beyond the box and exploited their defensive indecision. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 28 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1912, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

split second

1 of 2 noun

: a small fraction of a second : flash

split-second

2 of 2 adjective

1

: occurring in a split second

a split-second decision

2

: extremely precise

split-second timing