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

Her claim should be treated carefully, but it aligns with what we can observe in real time.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

Email’s invention led to the collapse of the interoffice memo and the fax machine, freeing workers from the need to communicate in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off the last-second deal to move ahead of the Steelers and snatch away Lemon in real time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

The US president has been commenting on the conflict almost in real time in seemingly off-the-cuff exchanges with reporters, including from AFP, who call his cell phone.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

The beginning and end in real time can be very different from each other.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking