time frame

noun

variants or less commonly timeframe

ˈtīm-ˌfrām 

: a period of time especially with respect to some action or project

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time frame or timeframe?

Should time frame be written as one word or two? At present, it is most commonly styled as two words with no hyphen in between.

Compounds, or “words consisting of components that are words,” come in three varieties: open (two words with a space between them, such as lima bean), hyphenated (two words with a hyphen between them, such as runner-up), and closed (one word, such as rowboat). In some cases, competing compound stylings appear in different publications. This is generally acceptable as long as the spelling remains consistent throughout a book or periodical.

Compounds have a tendency to move from open to closed as time goes by, and our evidence suggests that time frame is headed in this direction. At this point, however, the open compound is far more prevalent.

Examples of time frame in a Sentence

They were not able to finish the project within the established time frame.

Recent Examples on the Web

The time frame means these sandstones formed during the Cryogenian Period, from 720 million to 635 million years ago. —Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

Enjoy the ride and establish a foundation that best supports your talents, budget and time frame. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Figures from the Treasury Department show the federal government spent north of $6.7 trillion over the yearlong period that ended in September, running a deficit of more than $1.8 trillion during the time frame. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024

While the 2016-2021 time frame for the group of former athletes owed back damages seems oddly specific and potentially short-sighted in the face of this new wave of lawsuits, there is a particular reason for it. —Joe Sabin, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above