timeout

American  

[tahym-out] / ˈtaɪmˈaʊt /

Or time-out

noun

plural

timeouts

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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Etymology

Origin of timeout

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

Example Sentences

After the Lakers gave up a 9-0 run to start the second quarter, he hit a contested three out of a timeout to get the team back on track.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Dunn came out of the timeout, attacked the basket, made a layup and earned a foul.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

If things get too exciting, and action seems imminent, players will frequently call timeout to have a confab in the middle of the field.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

However, Ifab is not expected to pass any resolution to tackle the tactical timeout.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The world will give you that once in a while, a brief timeout; the boxing bell rings and you go to your corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your beat-up life.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd