pastime

[ pas-tahym, pahs- ]

noun

1. something that serves to make time pass agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport:

   to play cards as a pastime.

   Synonyms: avocation, diversion, hobby, entertainment

pastime

/ ˈpɑːsˌtaɪm /

noun

1. an activity or entertainment which makes time pass pleasantly

   golf is my favourite pastime

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastime¹

1480–90; earlier pas ( s ) e tyme, translation of Middle French passe-temps

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastime¹

C15: from pass + time , on the model of French passe-temps

Example Sentences

His concept—a simple binding system for both feet—went on to legitimize the now popular pastime.

From Outside Online

As the debates among experts continue, many older people who are being vaccinated welcome the possibility of returning to favorite pastimes, hugging a loved one and taking better care of themselves.

From Washington Post

While gaming may seem like a mere pastime for the wounded, it’s actually considered constructive therapy.

From Ozy

As it turns out, there’s a unique term, from the Dutch, for this sort of pastime.

From Nautilus

It was this last pastime that primed him to come up with an idea for producing water vortices.

From Quanta Magazine

Of course the other great American Pastime is voting, and many are starting to wonder about that as well.

From The Daily Beast

Cooking up scientific explanations of the plagues has been a pastime for years.

From The Daily Beast

The revelations may sound absurd to the rest of the world, but in Italy faking sick leave is a national pastime.

From The Daily Beast

And if horse racing endures and survives, it will be the result of an overdue focus on the august animal that defines the pastime.

From The Daily Beast

In their homeland, after all, the sport truly is an undisputed national pastime.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone with whom he came in contact regarded music merely as a pastime, without serious significance in life.

From Project Gutenberg

The young lawyer was abruptly interrupted in his pastime of ejecting Scattergood forcibly.

From Project Gutenberg

Stanley Hall also went for pastime, and Billy Towler slid into the boat like an eel, without leave, just as it pushed off.

From Project Gutenberg

The pastime consisted of riding on horseback and aiming a lance at one of the holes in the broad end of the crossbar.

From Project Gutenberg

He was with me in the first Asturian campaign—a fellow who has a fortune, and loves doctoring as a pastime.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amusement
• diversion
• fun
• hobby
• recreation