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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

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

Real-time odds on screen showed viewers that underdogs including Dwayne Johnson and Adam Sandler had a roughly zero percent chance of being named winners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Real-time market- intelligence firm OpenBrand External link, for example, estimates that price growth for consumer durables and personal goods accelerated 0.6% month over month.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

Real-time imaging shows them what direction the bubbles are moving in.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2023

Real-time updates with clear guidelines on what to do during poor air quality days are needed.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023

Real-time interaction is fundamental to the context of focusing on nano-scale.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai