Word
timeout
Phoneticstime·out, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtaɪˌmaʊt/
UK/tˈaɪmaʊt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short break from an activity, often used in sports or when a child is behaving badly. You use it to stop what is happening and rest or think.
n. a brief suspension of activity, typically for rest, strategy, or disciplinary purposes. Often used in competitive sports or as a behavioral management technique for children.
Examples
“The coach called a timeout to discuss the next play.”
“After the toddler threw his toys, his mother gave him a five-minute timeout to calm down.”
“The head coach strategically utilized his final timeout during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to organize a high-percentage scoring play.”
Examples
simple
“The coach called a timeout to discuss the next play.”
contextual
“After the toddler threw his toys, his mother gave him a five-minute timeout to calm down.”
complex
“The head coach strategically utilized his final timeout during the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to organize a high-percentage scoring play.”
Usage
Often written as two words ('time out') when used as a phrasal verb or in general contexts, but frequently closed as 'timeout' in sports and computing.
Etymology
From time + out.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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