time machine

noun

: a hypothetical device that permits travel into the past and future

Examples of time machine 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.
But, short of an actual time machine, there is no authentic way to stay young forever. Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026 Emerging from a production partnership between the This Is Important trio and iHeart, the weekly series will find hosts Jay and English hopping into a metaphorical time machine to spend a day in the past in hope of understanding the chaos that is sure to be the future. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 In a last-minute twist, Alice reveals the existence of a second time machine. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026 Marty still accidentally goes back to 1955 in a DeLorean turned into a time machine by Doc — still one of the greatest story bits ever. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for time machine

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of time machine was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time%20machine. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

time machine

noun
: a fictional machine that allows one to travel backward or forward in time
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster