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Synonyms

mean time

British  

noun

  1. the time, at a particular place, measured in terms of the passage of the mean sun; the timescale is not precisely constant See mean solar day

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

mean time Scientific  
  1. Solar time as measured by the mean sun, resulting in equal 24-hour days throughout the year. If days were measured by the actual movement of the Sun, they would vary slightly in length at different times of the year due to differences in Earth's orbital speed and other factors. Mean time is the basis for standard clock time throughout most of the world.

  2. See more at solar time universal time


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the mean time, a new round of talks aimed at resolving the trade war between the US and China has taken place in central London.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2025

In his closing arguments, former President Donald Trump's lead attorney warned the jury that a conviction could mean time behind bars.

From Salon • May 31, 2024

"It reinforces the need for the president to get up here or to get McCarthy down there to meet with him, one way or the other. I mean, time is a-wasting."

From Reuters • May 2, 2023

In the mean time, they pay no rent, and their mother, father, and I are covering their car notes.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2023

Do-overs mean time, and everyone in business knows that time is money.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina