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

But as the arguments played out, I saw her position softening in real time.

From BBC

Previous studies have attempted to estimate how often habits influence behavior, but this approach aimed to observe them in real time.

From Science Daily

Middle-school students from around the country designed proposals to address community issues, analyzed how their ideas intersect with civic institutions, debated respectfully, and refined their thinking in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such systems could support precision agriculture by revealing in real time which crops require additional water or fertilizer.

From Science Daily

An author whose hit novel is now a West End musical says there is no feeling like sitting in a theatre and feeling the "audience responding to the story" in real time.

From BBC