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

The small witch features 25 LED lights, the medium witch has 30, the large witch has 35, and each one has a timer that runs six hours on and 18 hours off. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025

Below the clock’s face, however, there’s both a thermostat and a 60-minute timer to help ensure your food is cooked perfectly every time. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025

Other 100 first timers included Tibi, Rachel Comey, Johanna Ortiz, Ann Demeulemeester, La DoubleJ, Ferragamo, Paloma Wool and Polène. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025

Larger, long-term future studies could track whether years of toilet-phone use worsen hemorrhoid rates, and behavioral interventions such as timers might help reduce sitting time. —New Atlas, 3 Sep. 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