timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

: one that times: such as

a

: timepiece

especially : a stopwatch for timing races

b

: timekeeper

c

: a device (such as a clock) that indicates by a sound the end of an interval of time or that starts or stops a device at predetermined times

Synonyms

• clock

Examples of timer in a Sentence

He was the official timer for the race.

She set the timer on the oven for one hour.

The timer is set to go off in 15 minutes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Choose from eight lighting modes—including twinkle, slow fade, steady glow, or flash—and even set an automatic shut-off timer. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

Once your timer goes off, leave the oven door closed and set a new timer for 45 minutes. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025

The half-day Learn to Turn package, designed to build on what was learned in first-timer lessons, costs $134 for skiers, $144 for snowboarders. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025

This one can literally fit in your pocket, has 15 looping sounds, can be set to a timer and is rechargeable for on-the-go zen. —Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing timer

• all-timer
• egg timer
• full-timer
• old-timer
• one-timer

Rhymes for timer

• climber
• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer

Kids Definition

timer

noun

tim·​er ˈtī-mər 

1

a

: timepiece

b

: timekeeper sense 2

2

: a clocklike device that turns something on or off at a set time or gives a signal at the end of a period of time