Synonyms

time-lag

American

[tahym-lag] / ˈtaɪmˌlæg /

noun

the period of time between two closely related events, phenomena, etc., as between stimulus and response or between cause and effect.

a time-lag between the declaration of war and full war production.

time-lag British

noun

an interval between two connected events

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of time-lag

First recorded in 1890–95

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.

There is a two-month time-lag in publishing NHS waiting times data which means the position at the end of March will be seen in figures published next month.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

Small differences could result from shipping costs and taxes being declared differently, a time-lag between a cargo leaving and arriving, or simply mistakes.

From Reuters • Apr. 24, 2019

Even “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” on Netflix has a time-lag fantasy.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2015

The Times declared 2012 “the year of the MOOC,” but there was considerable time-lag.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2013

They don't understand how they can talk to us without even the time-lag between Earth and Lunar City.

From Operation: Outer Space by Leinster, Murray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023