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pastime

American  
[pas-tahym, pahs-] / ˈpæsˌtaɪm, ˈpɑs- /

noun

  1. something that serves to make time pass agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport.

    to play cards as a pastime.
    Synonyms:
    avocation, diversion, hobby, entertainment
pastime British  
/ ˈpɑːsˌtaɪm /

noun

  1. an activity or entertainment which makes time pass pleasantly

    golf is my favourite pastime
"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

Etymology

Origin of pastime

1480–90; earlier pas ( s ) e tyme, translation of Middle French passe-temps

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.

The competitive pastime has spawned a whole industry of content creators offering weekly tips for anyone looking to gain an edge as they sift through stats and manage transfers.

From BBC

"I thought, wait a minute, shopping has become the national pastime, and nobody has written about it," Kinsella said of her bestselling series.

From BBC

"From his early days in theatre, art was not simply a pastime for Mohammed Bakri, but a tool for raising awareness and engaging in dialogue," the radio station said.

From Barron's

Hunting isn't just a pastime for him, it's about family and community connections.

From BBC

The traditionalist’s beloved pastime of dictionary diving has been enhanced in subtle ways, too.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.