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• real time
  real time

  noun

  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.
• real-time
  real-time

  adjective

  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

¹ American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

real times plural

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.

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idioms

1. in real time, at once; instantaneously.

real-time ² American  

[ree-uhl-tahym, reel-] / ˈri əlˈtaɪm, ˈril- /

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.

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real-time British  

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

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real-time Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• real times
  plural

Etymology

Origin of real time

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

It allows precise data, such as every individual touch of the ball with a boot or hand, to be immediately sent to the video assistant referee in real time.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

The chair of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, said her biggest regret was to feel compelled to act in accordance with prior forward guidance instead of judging the economy independently in real time.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

The company’s AI-powered software, called Kalibrate Fuel Prices, then uses the data to recommend prices in real time, promising in its marketing materials to help gas companies “squeeze out profit.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Which collisions should be recorded will need to be selected in real time -- a task that will be entrusted to artificial intelligence systems capable of identifying the most promising events.

From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026

In real time, the interview lasted three minutes.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow