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

For a split second, I’m caught in a silent shimmer.

From Literature

It’s a stressful moment, but my favorite moment: the split second before the cacophony of sounds erupts and the race begins.

From Literature

Theo hesitates a split second while considering my question, before his face arranges itself back into his familiar grin.

From Literature

“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

Related Words

• blink of an eye
• millisecond
• nanosecond