downtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "downtime" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a period of time during which a manufacturing system or machine is not functioning, or when someone is not working or is otherwise inactive. For example, "During the recent factory shutdown, there was a significant amount of downtime as machines and staff were idled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preference for DiCaprio, though, isn't simply hormonal downtime – who you'd prefer when you're not choosing for genes – but rather an indication of preferences in the longer term.

The Guardian - Film

This sounds horribly bossy for the first weekend of the school holidays, I know, but do you want to spend your downtime in a panic, grabbing random dresses out of your wardobe, discarding them and then having to hang them back up again?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The front office made productive use of the downtime, signing four starters to contract extensions and hiring a new announcing team following John Strong's ascension to "Voice of MLS" status with NBCSN.

The Guardian - Sport

French people working in the arts and entertainment – from circus clowns, choreographers, actors and musicians to camera operators and sound staff working at state TV – have a special dole system, designed to protect them in the downtime between jobs and sparing them the curse of out-of-work creatives elsewhere in the world: waiting tables or telesales.

The Guardian

Envisioned as a cultural palace for the people, free to enter, it was supposed to expand the minds of the city's factory workers in their downtime.

The Guardian

I soon learned that exploring takes time, children need downtime – and travel is more fun when you're having experiences rather than seeing sights.

The Guardian - Travel

What I have learned from my time in California is that everyone needs a little more "dude downtime", and the least we can do is pay people the minimum wage.

The Guardian - Books

Everyone needs some downtime.

The Guardian - Travel

This is particularly useful in manufacturing processes where downtime is expensive, such as in car factories or paper mills.Monitoring systems are also appearing in more everyday settings, for example in ice-dispensing machines in supermarkets.

The Economist

In the past, he says, students had a lot of downtime between lectures, and it made sense for the school to make the degree more intensive.

The Economist

It took a few hours of work on the hosting firm's part not yours truly, who woke at 3 to check on progress after a few hours of literal and server downtime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing technology or manufacturing, be specific about the cause of the "downtime". Is it due to maintenance, failure, or upgrades?

Common error

Avoid using "downtime" when "idle time" is more appropriate. "Downtime" generally implies an interruption or problem, while "idle time" simply means time when a resource is not being used.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "downtime" is as a noun. It refers to a period when something is not in operation or is inactive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe both system outages and periods of rest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "downtime" functions as a noun, denoting a period of inactivity or non-operation. It's frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to describe both system outages and periods of rest. As Ludwig AI explains, "downtime" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. While alternatives like "idle time" or "time off" exist, "downtime" often implies an interruption or problem. When using "downtime", consider specifying the cause of the inactivity to provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idle time

Focuses on the state of being inactive or not in use, particularly for equipment or resources.

time off

Emphasizes a period of rest or vacation away from work or regular duties.

leisure time

Highlights time dedicated to relaxation and enjoyment.

break time

Indicates a short period of rest during work or activity.

non-operational period

Specifically refers to a time when equipment or systems are not functioning.

period of inactivity

General term for any duration of being inactive or not engaged in activity.

time out

Suggests a temporary suspension of activity, often for disciplinary or recreational reasons.

rest period

Emphasizes the purpose of the time being for resting and recuperating.

scheduled maintenance

Implies a planned period when equipment is out of service for upkeep.

service interruption

Focuses on the disruption of a service due to technical issues or maintenance.

FAQs

How can I use "downtime" in a sentence?

You can use "downtime" to refer to periods of inactivity, rest, or when a system is not functioning. For example: "The factory experienced significant "downtime" due to the power outage".

What are some alternatives to the word "downtime"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "idle time", "time off", or "leisure time".

Is there a difference between "downtime" and "idle time"?

"Downtime" usually implies an unexpected interruption or a system failure, while "idle time" refers to a period when something is not being used but is still functional.

What's the difference between "downtime" and "break time"?

"Downtime" is generally a longer period of inactivity often due to system issues or needing rest, whereas "break time" refers to scheduled, short periods of rest during work or other activities.