Timeout

noun

/ˈtaɪm.aʊt/

Word Frequency: 0.5

Definitions

1.nounA short break in the action of a sport, for substitution, consultation, etc.

"We're being beaten! We need a time-out!"

2.nounA break from a tense, heated or stressful situation (often enforced, sometimes as a disciplinary measure); a cooling-off period.

"Hitting people is not acceptable! Go to your room and take a time-out!"

3.noun(communication) The intentional ending of an incomplete task after a time limit considered long enough for it to end normally.

4.noun(communication) The allowed maximal time for a process to end normally.

5.noun(communication) The intentional termination of an incomplete task after a time limit considered long enough for it to end normally.

"My connection was so slow that I kept receiving timeouts when trying to view Web pages."