short time

American  

noun

1. a period or schedule during which the number of working hours is reduced.

   The recession has put most of the manufacturing plants on short time.

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short time British  

noun

1. a system of working, usually for a temporary period, when employees are required to work and be paid for fewer than their normal hours per week due to a shortage of work

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Other Word Forms

• short-time
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

short time

This all makes for a more productive and thorough visit within the short time allotted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Because it survives for only a short time, unusually large amounts of formaldehyde can act as a chemical fingerprint showing that methane destruction is actively taking place.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Ultimately, we want to have the strategic flexibility to go public in a rather short time period if the board and others decide so. But there’s nothing imminent in that aspect,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Other drivers who witnessed Hynd's erratic driving stopped to try and help, with police and paramedics arriving a short time later.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

The cat door she had been able to slip through such a short time ago was already far too small for her.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Related Words

• moment
• second