real-time

¹ 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 ² American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

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.

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idioms

1. in real time, at once; instantaneously.

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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Etymology

Origin of real time

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The approach can deliver more precise information in near real time than what is typically available today, making it easier to find and recover debris that may be burned, damaged, or hazardous.

From Science Daily

Engineers studying drone combat at one of China’s top military-linked universities needed a way to simulate clashes between drone swarms in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are attempting in real time to erase her reality and instead morph her into a domestic terrorist committing “heinous” crimes, and maybe even worse.

From Los Angeles Times

“Shows you where fires are in real time.”

From Literature

"Attempts to obscure the truth will be documented in real time. The world is watching," said Netblocks on the continued internet shutdown, which it says is aimed at masking the extent of the crackdown.

From Barron's