time-out

noun

ˈtīm-ˈau̇t 

1

: a brief suspension of activity : break

especially : a suspension of play in an athletic game

2

: a quiet period used especially as a disciplinary measure for children

Synonyms

• downtime
• layoff
• winter

Examples of time-out in a Sentence

we need to take a time-out from our relationship to think things over

Recent Examples on the Web

Should you be caught working, you will be picked up and thrown into the fully functional dungeon for a ten-minute time-out. —Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

With Dallas not possessing any more time-outs, Jackson knelt out the victory. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 23 Sep. 2024

The 32-year-old can be seen in the clip sprinting away from a secondary stage at the event while making a time-out gesture with his hands. —EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Today was to be the start of the second week of congestion pricing, which was due to begin last Sunday at midnight before Gov. Hochul called for a time-out. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

time-out

noun

ˈtī-ˈmau̇t

1

: a stopping of play (as in a game) usually for a short time

2

: a quiet period used especially as a way to discipline children