timer

American  

[tahy-mer] / ˈtaɪ mər /

noun

1. a person or thing that times.

2. a person who measures or records time.

3. a device for indicating or measuring elapsed time, as a stopwatch.

4. a device for controlling machinery, appliances, or the like, in a specified way at a predetermined time.

   Please put the roast in the oven and set the timer to cook it for two hours.

5. (in an internal-combustion engine) a set of points actuated by a cam, which causes the spark for igniting the charge at the instant required.

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timer British  

/ ˈtaɪmə /

noun

1. a device for measuring, recording, or indicating time

2. a switch or regulator that causes a mechanism to operate at a specific time or at predetermined intervals

3. a person or thing that times

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Etymology

Origin of timer

First recorded in 1490–1500; time + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The one saving grace, said Timer, has been the public's "very significant rising awareness" of deforestation in Indonesia since the disaster.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Prophet developed a new, more basic logo—no barrel, chair or Old Timer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025

It added: "Owners will, however, still be able to use key features such as Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer directly from their car's Navigation System."

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2024

Posthumous inductees announced Tuesday include junior lightweight champion Tod Morgan in the Old Timer category and ring announcer Chuck Hull in the Non-Participant category.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2021

The Old Timer now joined earnestly in urging him to stay till the storm was past.

From The Sky Pilot, a Tale of the Foothills by Connor, Ralph

Related Words

• timepiece
• wristwatch