pastime

[ pas-tahym, pahs- ]

/ ˈpæsˌtaɪm, ˈpɑs- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for pastime on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that serves to make time pass agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport: to play cards as a pastime.

OTHER WORDS FOR pastime

entertainment, hobby, diversion, avocation.

See synonyms for pastime on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pastime

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

Words nearby pastime

pastiche, pasticheur, pasticheuse, pastiglia, pastille, pastime, pastina, pastiness, pasting, pastis, pastitsio

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pastime in a sentence

His concept—a simple binding system for both feet—went on to legitimize the now popular pastime.
The Evolution from Snurfing to Snowboarding|Outside Editors|February 4, 2021|Outside Online
As the debates among experts continue, many older people who are being vaccinated welcome the possibility of returning to favorite pastimes, hugging a loved one and taking better care of themselves.
Many who have received the coronavirus vaccine wonder: What can I safely do?|Laurie McGinley, Lenny Bernstein|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
While gaming may seem like a mere pastime for the wounded, it’s actually considered constructive therapy.
He’s Helping Wounded Warriors Game Again|Fiona Zublin|November 27, 2020|Ozy
As it turns out, there’s a unique term, from the Dutch, for this sort of pastime.
The Simple Dutch Cure for Stress - Facts So Romantic|Alice Fleerackers|October 26, 2020|Nautilus

It was this last pastime that primed him to come up with an idea for producing water vortices.
An Unexpected Twist Lights Up the Secrets of Turbulence|David H. Freedman|September 3, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Of course the other great American Pastime is voting, and many are starting to wonder about that as well.
Baseball’s Problem Is Politics’ Problem|Doug McIntyre|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cooking up scientific explanations of the plagues has been a pastime for years.
Liberian Pastors Blame Ebola on Gays, The Right Blames Obama|Jay Michaelson|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The revelations may sound absurd to the rest of the world, but in Italy faking sick leave is a national pastime.
Proud to Be a Coal Miner Fraudster|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And if horse racing endures and survives, it will be the result of an overdue focus on the august animal that defines the pastime.
How Kentucky Will Save Horse Racing From Itself|Jonathan Miller|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In their homeland, after all, the sport truly is an undisputed national pastime.
Can Baseball’s All-Star Game Be Saved?|Peter C. Bjarkman|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everyone with whom he came in contact regarded music merely as a pastime, without serious significance in life.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
The young lawyer was abruptly interrupted in his pastime of ejecting Scattergood forcibly.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
Stanley Hall also went for pastime, and Billy Towler slid into the boat like an eel, without leave, just as it pushed off.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The pastime consisted of riding on horseback and aiming a lance at one of the holes in the broad end of the crossbar.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
He was with me in the first Asturian campaign—a fellow who has a fortune, and loves doctoring as a pastime.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for pastime

pastime

/ (ˈpɑːsˌtaɪm) /

noun

an activity or entertainment which makes time pass pleasantlygolf is my favourite pastime

Word Origin for pastime

C15: from pass + time, on the model of French passe-temps

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

pastime

OTHER WORDS FOR pastime

Origin of pastime

Words nearby pastime

Words related to pastime

How to use pastime in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pastime

Word Origin for pastime