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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of stopwatch

First recorded in 1730–40; stop + watch

Example Sentences

As a young Klaebo experimented with this unconventional approach, his grandfather clocked him with a stopwatch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 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

If you could tear your eyes away from the screen enough to check a stopwatch, not one minute goes by without a flourish that’s either funny, ridiculous, stunning or emotional.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

“If I’d had a stopwatch,” she said, “I wouldn’t even have finished pushing down the stopwatch button before the thing was out. It was so easy and fast.”

From Slate • Aug. 23, 2024

Starting the stopwatch, she said, “Please go ring the bell again.”

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Related Words

• timepiece
• wristwatch