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
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
The holidays offered little downtime for Dallas County Democratic Party chief Kardal Coleman.
—
Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
But chief executives are taking back their holiday downtime with small wins in their work-life arrangements.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
What goes on in the downtime between your performances?
—Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 1 Jan. 2026
Starting an overnight presoak for stained items each evening makes the most of downtime and sets you up for an easier morning.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
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Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
But chief executives are taking back their holiday downtime with small wins in their work-life arrangements.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
What goes on in the downtime between your performances?
—Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 1 Jan. 2026
Starting an overnight presoak for stained items each evening makes the most of downtime and sets you up for an easier morning.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downtime
Cite this Entry
“Downtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtime. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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