# timer

/ˈtaɪmɝ/ (US) · /tˈaɪmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/timer
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a timing device

noun · CEFR A2

a device that measures time or makes a sound when a certain amount of time has passed.

For teachers: an instrument or mechanism used to measure time intervals or to trigger an event after a preset duration.

- Set the kitchen timer for ten minutes so the pasta doesn't overcook.
- The digital timer on the laboratory equipment ensures that the chemical reaction is monitored with millisecond precision.

### 2. a person who times

noun · CEFR B1

a person who measures how long an event or a race takes.

For teachers: an official or individual responsible for recording the duration of an event, particularly in competitive sports.

- The timer stood at the finish line with a stopwatch in his hand.
- In professional swimming, the official timer must verify the electronic touchpads to ensure the recorded race times are accurate.

### 3. tenure or frequency

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who has done something for a long time or a certain number of times.

For teachers: a person characterized by the length of their experience or the frequency of their participation, usually appearing in compounds like 'old-timer' or 'first-timer'.

- As a first-timer at the gym, he wasn't sure how to use the machines.
- The club welcomed several first-timers to the meeting, though the old-timers still dominated the policy discussions.

Usage: Almost always used as part of a compound noun.

Teaching tip: This sense is rarely used alone; it is most common in terms like 'old-timer' for an experienced person or 'first-timer' for a beginner.

## Examples

- Set the timer for ten minutes so the pasta doesn't overcook.
- The chef uses a digital timer to ensure every steak is cooked to the exact level of doneness requested by the customer.
- In industrial manufacturing, a precision timer controls the duration of the cooling phase to prevent the plastic components from warping as they solidify.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.