uptime

American

[uhp-tahym] / ˈʌpˌtaɪm /

noun

the time during which a machine or piece of equipment, as a computer, is operating or can be operated.
the time during which an employee is actually working.

uptime British

/ ˈʌpˌtaɪm /

noun

commerce time during which a machine, such as a computer, actually operates

"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 uptime

1955–60; up (in sense “operating”) + time

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.

Ford Pro will additionally expand its uptime services capabilities to small businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Proton VPN’s infrastructure is known for its reliability and uptime.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

“The foundational requirement for every modern AI data center is constant uptime and resilience, which demands real-time, always-on observability delivered at the right cost,” Arora said in a separate release.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 19, 2025

Mr Fagernæs admits high winds will ground the drones occasionally, but expects the service to have 90% uptime.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

Unlike previous such grants, these insist on 95% uptime performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2024

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