downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm How to pronounce downtime (audio)
1
: time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs
2
: inactive time (such as time between periods of work)
napping during our downtime
an injured athlete facing months of downtime

Examples of downtime in a Sentence

After a busy day at work, I look forward to some downtime at home. The kids napped during their downtime. We need to minimize network downtime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This means a simple restart triggers the update, rather than the longer downtime as new software downloads and installs. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Those are the dangerous ones, as McIlroy admittedly allows his mind to wander during downtime. Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Players could download the update during the downtime once it was released. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Their answer was the Armed Services Editions — hundreds of titles printed on cheap paper and handed out to GIs, who devoured them in their downtime. Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downtime

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downtime was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Downtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtime. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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