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

• chronometer
• clock
• timekeeper
• timepiece

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

Set a timer for five to ten minutes and quickly tackle high-traffic areas. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025

Baristas walk guests through the steps of brewing and pouring the tea, providing a timer for the perfect steep. —Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025

But navigating the mattress market as a first timer can be as intimidating as learning a new language. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025

Set a timer to get up from sitting and move every 30 to 60 minutes. —Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 5 May 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