stopwatch

American  

[stop-woch] / ˈstɒpˌwɒtʃ /

noun

1. a watch with a hand or hands that can be stopped or started at any instant, used for precise timing, as in races.

---

stopwatch British  

/ ˈstɒpˌwɒtʃ /

noun

1. a type of watch used for timing events, such as sporting events, accurately, having a device for stopping the hand or hands instantly

---

Etymology

Origin of stopwatch

First recorded in 1730–40; stop + watch

Example Sentences

In recent months, the iconic ticking stopwatch of the CBS News magazine “60 Minutes” began to sound like a time bomb.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The persistent, rhythmic ticking of the “60 Minutes” stopwatch is like the heartbeat of American investigative journalism.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

Accordingly, it has a stopwatch and is water-resistant up to a certain depth, unlike more delicate and perhaps technically nicer-looking analog watches.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

Gallagher believes fans will have the "stopwatch" out to see how quickly Joshua finishes it, though he still predicts a clinical end.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

I placed my middle and pointer fingers on the inside of Mrs. B’s left wrist and took her pulse using the stopwatch.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• timepiece
• wristwatch