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

Jake Retzlaff dropped back to pass, went through his progressions in the pocket and found wide receiver Darius Lassiter open for a split second. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 19 Oct. 2024

Like some other offensive tackles, Lowe tends to break off the line a split second before the ball is snapped, late enough that he isn’t typically called for a penalty. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 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