real time

¹ 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 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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Etymology

Origin of real time

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

They also adjusted observing strategies in real time to ensure even the smallest fluctuations in brightness were recorded.

From Science Daily

"It's incredible that various telescopes caught this impact in real time," Tzanidakis said.

From Science Daily

Put simply, they pose questions that can be reduced to simple choices of “yes” or “no”; the choices made by users are updated in real time.

From Los Angeles Times

All those talks center on the current state of the war and how to end it, the U.S. officials said, as both countries try to bridge their differences in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are now apps that allow clients of some practices to chat in real time to vets.

From BBC