downtime

noun

down·​time ˈdau̇n-ˌtīm 

1

: time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs

2

: inactive time (such as time between periods of work)

napping during our downtime

an injured athlete facing months of downtime

Synonyms of downtime

• winter
• break

Examples of downtime in a Sentence

After a busy day at work, I look forward to some downtime at home.

The kids napped during their downtime.

We need to minimize network downtime.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet each of the 553 rooms still give guests the chance to maximize their downtime, thanks to plush bedding, modern bathrooms, and the option to Netflix and chill directly from the hotel television. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Be wary of universal promises about results or downtime, and treat a dismissal of your recent tan or past pigment reactions the same way. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

There may be operational downtime, legal exposure, insurance consequences and reputational damage. — Sami Nomair, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Teammates appreciated Suzuki’s ability to shift between being serious about his craft to being goofy during all the downtime of a long season. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downtime

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