keep time Definition

time
noun

1. The continuous passing and succession of minutes, days and years, etc.

Thesaurus: duration, continuance, lastingness, extent.
2. A particular point in time expressed in hours and minutes, or days, months and years, and as can be read from a clock or watch, or told by a calendar.
3. Any system for reckoning or expressing time.

Example: Eastern European Time
4. A point or period which is marked by some event or some particular characteristic.

Example: at the time of her marriage
Example: Edwardian times
Thesaurus: occasion, moment,age, era, period, epoch.
Form: times (also)
5. The period required or available for, suitable for or spent doing a specified activity.

Example: playtime
Thesaurus: leisure, spare time, freedom, opportunity, free moment, ease, liberty, chance.
6. An unspecified interval or period.

Example: stayed there for a time
7. One of a number or series of occasions or repeated actions.

Example: been to Spain three times
8. Expressing multiplication.

Example: Three times two is six
Form: times
9. A period or occasion, especially a personal one, characterized by some quality or experience.

Example: a good time
Example: hard times
10. A particular period being considered, especially the present.
11. colloq
A prison sentence.
Example: do time
12. An apprenticeship.
13. The point at which something ends, eg a match or game.
(Brit)
14. The time when a public house must close.
15. The moment at which childbirth or death is expected.
16. The hours and days that one spends at work.
17. A rate of pay for work.

Example: Saturdays pay double time
18. music.
A specified rhythm or speed.
Example: waltz time
19. music.
The speed at which a piece of music is to be played.

verb timed, timing

1. To measure the time taken by (an event or journey, etc).
2. To arrange, set or choose the time for something.
tr & intr
3. To keep or beat time, or make something keep or beat time.

Idiom: against time

With as much speed as possible because of the need or wish to finish by a certain time.

Idiom: ahead of time

Earlier than expected or necessary.
Thesaurus: fast, ahead of schedule, fast, early.

Idiom: all in good time

In due course; soon enough.

Idiom: all the time

Continually.

Idiom: at times

Occasionally; sometimes.

Idiom: behind time

Late.

Idiom: behind the times

Out of date; old-fashioned.

Idiom: for the time being

Meanwhile; for the moment.
Thesaurus: temporarily, for the present, provisionally.

Idiom: from time to time

Occasionally; sometimes.
Thesaurus: occasionally, sometimes, at times, once in a while.

Idiom: have no time for someone or something

To have no interest in or patience with them or it; to despise them or it.

Idiom: have the time of one's life

To enjoy oneself very much.

Idiom: in good time

Early.

Idiom: in no time

Very quickly.

Idiom: in one's own time

In one's spare time when not at work.

At the speed one prefers.

Idiom: in time

Early enough.

Idiom: in time with someone or something

At the same speed or rhythm as them or it.

Idiom: keep time

To correctly follow the required rhythm of a piece of music.

Said of a watch or clock: to function at an accurate speed.

Idiom: kill time

To pass time aimlessly while waiting on events.

Idiom: make good time

To travel as quickly as, or more quickly than, one had expected or hoped.

Idiom: no time at all

colloq
A very short time.

Idiom: on time

At the right time; not late.

Idiom: pass the time of day

To exchange greetings and have a brief casual conversation.

Idiom: take one's time

Not to hurry; to work as slowly as one wishes.

Idiom: time and time again

Again and again; repeatedly.
Thesaurus: over and over again, time after time, frequently, repeatedly, recurrently, often.

Idiom: time out of mind

For longer than anyone can remember.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon tima.