real time

¹

[ree-uhl, reel]

noun

1. Computers.,  the actual time elapsed in the performance of a computation by a computer, the result of the computation being required for the continuation of a physical process.

2. the actual time during which a process takes place or an event occurs.

real-time

²

[ree-uhl-tahym, reel-]

adjective

Computers.

1. of or relating to applications in which the computer must respond as rapidly as required by the user or necessitated by the process being controlled.

real-time

adjective

1. denoting or relating to a data-processing system in which a computer receives constantly changing data, such as information relating to air-traffic control, travel booking systems, etc, and processes it sufficiently rapidly to be able to control the source of the data

real-time

1. A term used to describe computer systems that update information at the same rate as they receive data.

Word History and Origins

Origin of real time¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in real time, at once; instantaneously.

Example Sentences

When the financial world undergoes sudden regime changes, as it regularly does, it remains unclear how models will adapt in real time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"He showed me that in real time. It was a special time we spent together. He was a beautiful man."

Read more on BBC

At that rate, generating 1 billion years of activity would take over 36 years of real time.

Read more on Science Daily

"The muscle-specific microRNAs we found in mammoth tissues are direct evidence of gene regulation happening in real time in ancient times. It is the first time something like this has been achieved," he says.

Read more on Science Daily

A robot with AI-assisted voice technology could potentially understand emotion and intent, clarify instructions, and respond to commands in real time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal