Phrase guide

screen time

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • skrēn′ tīm′
  • New-Zealand, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈskɹiːn ˌtaɪ̯m/
  • Canada, General-American, Scotland: /ˈskɹin ˌtaɪ̯m/
  • Canada: /ˈskɹin ˌtʌɪ̯m/
  • Scotland: /ˈskɹin ˌtʌi̯m/
  • Scotland: /ˈskɹin ˌtəi̯m/
  • Australian: /ˈskɹiːn ˌtɑe̯m/
  • India: /ˈskɾiːn ˌʈajm/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The duration for which something is visible on film or television.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The wise old monk had little screen time compared with his buxom young disciple.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The amount of time a person spends using screen-accessed technology (such as a television, a computer, a smartphone, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The editorial advised parents of small children to limit their kids' screen time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 出場時間 /出场时间 (chūchǎng shíjiān) — duration something is visible
  • Finnish: ruutuaika — duration something is visible
  • Georgian: საეკრანო დრო (saeḳrano dro) — duration something is visible
  • German: Dauer des Auftritts — duration something is visible
  • Hungarian: képernyőidő — duration something is visible
  • Polish: czas ekranowy — duration something is visible
  • Chinese Mandarin: 看屏幕的時間 /看屏幕的时间 (kàn píngmù de shíjiān) — time spent using a screen
  • Finnish: ruutuaika — time spent using a screen
  • French: temps d'écran — time spent using a screen
  • German: Bildschirmzeit — time spent using a screen
  • Hungarian: képernyőidő — time spent using a screen
  • Polish: czas spędzony przed ekranem — time spent using a screen
  • Swedish: skärmtid — time spent using a screen