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• real time
  real time

  noun

  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.
• real-time
  real-time

  adjective

  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.

real time

¹ American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

real times plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• real times
  plural

Etymology

Origin of real time

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Connor Hart is a reporter on the Real-Time Desk, where he covers breaking corporate news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

"These devices send data to a central system, where it is analysed using AI algorithms within the data analysis layer," says KTU Centre of Real-Time Computer Systems professor Egidijus Kazanavičius, who developed the hardware.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

Tech billionaire Elon Musk temporarily lost his status as the world’s richest man Wednesday, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires ranking.

From Washington Times • Dec. 8, 2022

He took part in a live interaction with the New York Times website, headlined “Messaging With Mondale: Real-Time Reactions From an Ex-Vice President”.

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2016

A lower federal court found that the Display of Real-Time View Requirement violated physicians’ First Amendment rights to free speech, and today the higher panel agreed.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2014