split second

noun

1. a fraction of a second.
2. an infinitesimal amount of time; instant; twinkling.

split second

noun

1. an extremely small period of time; instant

adjective

1. made or arrived at in an infinitely short time

   a split-second decision

2. depending upon minute precision

   split-second timing

Other Words From

• split-second adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of split second¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

An instant, a fraction of a second, as in Our best swimmer came in a split second before theirs . This expression alludes to a stop watch that has two second hands, one above the other, for timing more than one athlete or intervals of a race by a single athlete. Each hand can be stopped independently of the other, so a second can be “split” when one second hand stops a fraction of a second after the other. [c. 1880]

Example Sentences

The larger meaning of what he was saying hung in the air for a split-second.

From The Daily Beast

For whatever reason, these are how these split-second decisions are made.

From The Daily Beast

The wrong split-second decision on my side would have been deadly.

From The Daily Beast

The wrong approach was to end this kid's employment, and maybe his career, over a split-second mistake.

From The Daily Beast

The split second break in that menacing circle saved my life.

From The Daily Beast

Slammed over against the bar, Lamb had a split-second glimpse of it.

From Project Gutenberg

I staggered back, wiping my cut mouth, in a split-second juggling possibilities.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the decision of a split-second and he did not dare risk dragging the girl from the saddle past the struggling horse.

From Project Gutenberg

If he did everything exactly right, and with split-second precision, his plan had at least an even chance of working.

From Project Gutenberg

In the split-second it took Hunter to free himself from the torn jacket, Young swung the scalpel again.

From Project Gutenberg