airtime

noun

air·​time ˈer-ˌtīm 

1

: the time or any part of the time when a radio or television station is on the air

2

: the time at which a radio or television broadcast is scheduled to begin

Examples of airtime in a Sentence

The committee plans to buy radio airtime for the campaign ads.

Recent Examples on the Web

For actual public service announcements, the TV airtime is usually donated. — Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Data compiled by AdImpact shows the campaigns have spent or booked only a sprinkle of airtime and digital messaging so far through Election Day. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Frot-Coutaz’s comments, which were made at the Royal Television Society London Convention on Tuesday, confirm Deadline’s report in July about Sky’s plans to give original series airtime on its new asset. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

The duo enjoyed frequent airtime on MTV during the network’s musical heyday. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for airtime

• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime