screen time
Americannoun
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the amount of time devoted to a particular actor, topic, plot line, etc., in a film or TV show.
The female characters got less screen time than the male characters in all the film festival nominations.
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Digital Technology. the amount of time a person spends watching or interacting with content on the screen of a computer, phone, TV, gaming console, etc..
What's the maximum amount of screen time recommended for children under two?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of screen time
First recorded in 1915–20, and in 1990–95 screen time for def. 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is expected to include practical tips on how much screen time children should have, when they should get their first smart phone, and how technology is used in schools.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
As lawmakers in the United States and Europe weigh tougher regulations on screen time, age verification and in-game spending, Pierre-Louis argued the US gaming industry's track record of voluntary self-regulation sets it apart.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
Apps now compete for downloads and screen time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Either Shorty has the most screen time or he’s just so excruciating that it feels like it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
“I don’t hear an apology. You’ve already lost five minutes from your screen time today. The longer it takes, the more you’ll lose.”
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
