stopwatch

American  

[stop-woch] / ˈstɒpˌwɒtʃ /

noun

1. a watch with a hand or hands that can be stopped or started at any instant, used for precise timing, as in races.

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stopwatch British  

/ ˈstɒpˌwɒtʃ /

noun

1. a type of watch used for timing events, such as sporting events, accurately, having a device for stopping the hand or hands instantly

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Etymology

Origin of stopwatch

First recorded in 1730–40; stop + watch

Example Sentences

Gallagher believes fans will have the "stopwatch" out to see how quickly Joshua finishes it, though he still predicts a clinical end.

From BBC

He urged factory managers to break down each task into its smallest motions, measure these with a stopwatch and then determine the “one best way” to perform the work.

From The Wall Street Journal

While it’s quicker and faster than its predecessors, much of the focus seems to be on delivering emotional content rather than stopwatch performance—most obviously, in the presence and sonority of the engine.

From The Wall Street Journal

First it was a pencil, paper and a stopwatch.

From BBC

If you could tear your eyes away from the screen enough to check a stopwatch, not one minute goes by without a flourish that’s either funny, ridiculous, stunning or emotional.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• timepiece
• wristwatch