real time

¹ American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

1. Computers.  the actual time elapsed in the performance of a computation by a computer, the result of the computation being required for the continuation of a physical process.

2. the actual time during which a process takes place or an event occurs.

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idioms

1. in real time,  at once; instantaneously.

real-time ² American  

[ree-uhl-tahym, reel-] / ˈri əlˈtaɪm, ˈril- /

adjective

Computers.

1. of or relating to applications in which the computer must respond as rapidly as required by the user or necessitated by the process being controlled.

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real-time British  

adjective

1. denoting or relating to a data-processing system in which a computer receives constantly changing data, such as information relating to air-traffic control, travel booking systems, etc, and processes it sufficiently rapidly to be able to control the source of the data

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real-time Cultural  

1. A term used to describe computer systems that update information at the same rate as they receive data.

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Etymology

Origin of real time

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

MacDonald, a Fellow of St John's College Cambridge, notes that as interest in literal readings increased, maps became a tool to show that biblical events unfolded in identifiable places and real time.

From Science Daily

Luo also points out that time-resolved scattering measurements and high-resolution imaging, which can capture these processes in real time down to the subcellular level, are crucial for this work and for future studies.

From Science Daily

The former tend to be more gradual and less dramatic, and therefore are often overlooked in real time.

From Barron's

There are tools available to help shave off some of the cost of an online shopping haul in real time.

From MarketWatch

“It’s a difficult problem to solve, and California is kind of solving it in real time.”

From Los Angeles Times