timeout

American  

[tahym-out] / ˈtaɪmˈaʊt /

Or time-out

noun

• timeouts
  plural

1. a brief suspension of activity; intermission or break.

2. Sports. a short interruption in a regular period of play during which a referee or other official stops the clock so that the players may rest, deliberate, make substitutions, etc.

3. a short time alone used as a punishment or consequence for a child who is misbehaving.

4. Computers.

   1. the termination of a process or event that is taking longer than expected to proceed, and that is more likely to be successful if relaunched, resubmitted, etc.

   2. the severing of an online connection after a period of inactivity, as when a user is logged out of a secure session on a webpage after a fixed period of time.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• timeouts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of timeout

First recorded in 1870–75; time ( def. ) + out ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

timeout timeouts

Djokovic dropped to his hands and knees and required a medical timeout in a surprise second-round loss in such conditions at August's Cincinnati Masters.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

The 25-year-old took another medical timeout at 5-5 in the third set after appearing to struggle with a nasal problem.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026

Clark, who made one basket during the game, had an animated discussion with White during a timeout before being yanked out of the lineup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

The effectiveness of the measure at the World Cup is open to debate, as there will be a three-minute hydration break in each half, creating a natural timeout for coaches.

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

But when I heard Doris come in, I called a timeout and started making up my bed.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

There was also "unanimous support" for recent rule changes designed to reduce unnecessary delays, including time limits on goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions, and new regulations around on-field injuries and goalkeeper tactical timeouts.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

A solution to stop goalkeeper "tactical timeouts" is also set to be introduced.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Football, basketball and baseball are all shot through with timeouts and stoppages, ends of innings and changes of possession.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

Redick and his staff intentionally let players discuss between themselves during timeouts before coaches join the huddle.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026

My demands resulted only in timeouts, where I anxiously bit my fingernails.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter