timeout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal in sports/tech contexts; formal in technical documentation.
Quick answer
What does “timeout” mean?
A designated period during which an activity is temporarily suspended, often used to pause a game, process, or interaction for strategic, corrective, or rest purposes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A designated period during which an activity is temporarily suspended, often used to pause a game, process, or interaction for strategic, corrective, or rest purposes.
In computing, a mechanism that limits the duration a system will wait for a response before aborting an operation; in parenting/education, a disciplinary technique where a child is removed from stimulation; in meetings/work, a short break to reassess.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term. In UK sports broadcasting, 'time out' (two words) is slightly more common, though 'timeout' is widely understood. In US sports, 'timeout' (one word) is dominant.
Connotations
In UK, may sound slightly Americanised in sports contexts. In US, strongly associated with American football and basketball strategy.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to cultural prominence of strategic timeouts in major sports. Similar frequency in computing contexts globally.
Grammar
How to Use “timeout” in a Sentence
[Team/Coach] calls a timeout[System] issues a timeout[Parent] gives a timeoutVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “timeout” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The manager called a tactical timeout to discuss strategy.
- After the software update, we experienced several network timeouts.
American English
- The coach burned his final timeout with two minutes left.
- The API request failed due to a timeout.
verb
British English
- The session will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
- I timed out while trying to log in.
American English
- Make sure the system doesn't time out during the upload.
- My password expired and timed me out.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In meetings: 'Let's call a timeout and revisit this tomorrow.'
Academic
In research: 'The server request resulted in a connection timeout.'
Everyday
Parenting: 'If you don't share, you'll get a five-minute timeout.'
Technical
Networking: 'Set the session timeout to 30 minutes.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “timeout”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “timeout”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “timeout”
- Using as a verb without 'call' or 'take' (e.g., 'We need to timeout' - incorrect). Using uncountably (e.g., 'We had timeout').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern English, especially in computing and US sports, it is most commonly written as one word ('timeout'). The two-word form 'time out' is also correct, particularly for the verb phrase and in some UK contexts.
Yes, but as a phrasal verb 'to time out' (e.g., 'The connection timed out'). You cannot say 'to timeout' someone; instead, you 'give someone a timeout' (noun).
A 'timeout' implies a formal, often rule-bound, temporary suspension with a specific purpose (strategy, discipline, system control). A 'break' is more general and can be for rest or leisure without formal constraints.
Yes, it is used and understood, particularly in computing, parenting, and increasingly in sports. However, some traditional UK sports commentators might still favour 'time out' or simply 'a stoppage'.
A designated period during which an activity is temporarily suspended, often used to pause a game, process, or interaction for strategic, corrective, or rest purposes.
Timeout is usually neutral to informal in sports/tech contexts; formal in technical documentation. in register.
Timeout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪmaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪmaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a timeout to regroup”
- “On timeout (disciplinary)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TIME needs OUT - when time is 'out', the play/process stops.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER/ RESOURCE (you use one up); DISCIPLINE IS ISOLATION.
Practice
Quiz
In computing, a 'timeout' most closely refers to: