airtime

American  

[air-tahym] / ˈɛərˌtaɪm /

Or air time

noun

1. the particular time that a program is broadcast or scheduled for broadcast.

   The airtime for the newscast is 10 p.m.

2. the time during which a broadcast takes place.

   The airtime for the new show is from 10 to 10:30 p.m.

3. a block of such time sold by a radio or television station to an advertiser, allotted to a political candidate, etc..

   The company bought three minutes of airtime.

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airtime British  

/ ˈɛəˌtaɪm /

noun

1. the time allocated to a particular programme, item, topic, or type of material on radio or television

2. the time of the start of a radio or television broadcast

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Etymology

Origin of airtime

First recorded in 1940–45; air ¹ + time

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

airtime

In smaller states with fewer media markets, ad rates can rise quickly, especially when there are competitive governor and House races also competing for airtime.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026

He declined to reveal how much he paid for that airtime.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Henry Slade's booming kick into the corner in the 2017 Premiership semi-final got plenty of airtime in the build-up to the latest instalment of Saracens and Exeter's rivalry.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

After a candid manager made clear on day one that the role offered no path to future bylines or airtime, I quit on day two.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

With a minute to go before airtime, the studio floor was cluttered with the debris of nearly eight hours of a frantic, stormy rehearsal.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

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