noun · 3 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
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/ˈtaɪm.aʊt/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:T AY1 M AW2 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The allowed maximal time for a process to end normally.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: communication, communications
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit considered long enough for it to end normally.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: communication, communications
Examples
My connection was so slow that I kept receiving timeouts when trying to view Web pages.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Alternative form of time-out.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From time + out.
Across languages
Translations
15 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Finnish:
aikakatkaisuaika
— the allowed maximal time for a process to end normally
German:
Timeout
— the allowed maximal time for a process to end normally
German:
Zeitbeschränkung
— the allowed maximal time for a process to end normally
Spanish:
caducación
— the allowed maximal time for a process to end normally
Turkish:
süre sınırlaması
— the allowed maximal time for a process to end normally
Bulgarian:
прекъсване
(prekǎsvane)
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Estonian:
ajakatkestus
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Finnish:
aikakatkaisu
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
German:
Timeout
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
German:
Zeitüberschreitung
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Hungarian:
időtúllépés
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Portuguese:
estouro
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Portuguese:
timeout
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Spanish:
caducación
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
Turkish:
süre aşımı
— the intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit
