split second

American  

noun

1. a fraction of a second.

2. an infinitesimal amount of time; instant; twinkling.

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split second British  

noun

1. an extremely small period of time; instant

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adjective

1. made or arrived at in an infinitely short time

   a split-second decision

2. depending upon minute precision

   split-second timing

split second Idioms  

1. An instant, a fraction of a second, as in Our best swimmer came in a split second before theirs. This expression alludes to a stop watch that has two second hands, one above the other, for timing more than one athlete or intervals of a race by a single athlete. Each hand can be stopped independently of the other, so a second can be “split” when one second hand stops a fraction of a second after the other. [c. 1880]

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Other Word Forms

• split-second adjective

Etymology

Origin of split second

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

“It’s just—everyone disappeared when my dad got sick, or they pretended nothing was happening. And you . . .” He meets my eyes for a split second, then looks back down.

From Literature

For a split second it occurred to me that the picture might actually be of her.

From Literature

"I know it's a long long journey, and things won't change in a split second. Our attempt is like a drop in the ocean, but at least it is an attempt," he says.

From BBC

Even in the split second of the event I could see the flies.

From Literature

There was a split second of silence, and then Rosa burst out laughing.

From Literature

Related Words

• blink of an eye
• millisecond
• nanosecond