peak time

USAGE SUMMARY

'peak time' is correct and usable in written English.
It means the busiest time of the day or the busiest period of an event. For example: "Traffic is often heavy at peak time on weekdays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, at this peak time bargains are scarce.

The Guardian - Travel

Here's how to find the peak time to do everything.

The New York Times

BBC1 would see a small reduction in peak-time entertainment shows and the number of repeats aired in peak time would rise.

The Guardian

Overall, C4's peak time Friday night share was 7% on Friday and 6.3% the Friday before, compared with an average peak time share of 8.9% in 2004.

The Guardian

So, Sunday evening is the peak time for a spot of shameless promo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Channel 4 regularly struggles to match that figure in peak time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Hire a contractor during a non-peak time.

WikiHow

Cameron was on peak-time ITV putting his case.

The Guardian - Opinion

Netflix accounts for a third of American peak-time traffic.

The Economist

Hunt said O'Reilly had been dropped "did not meet the criteria we set for the show", including peak-time presenting experience and appeal to a peak-time audience.

The Guardian

Indeed, you could be earning money exporting expensive peak-time units into the grid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes over time, specify the start and end points of the "peak time" to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The peak time for electricity usage is between 4 PM and 7 PM".

Common error

Avoid using "peak timing" when you mean "peak time". "Peak timing" is less common and can sound awkward. Use "peak time" to refer to the period of greatest activity or intensity. For example, say "The "peak time" for website traffic is during lunch hours" instead of "The peak timing for website traffic is during lunch hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peak time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe a period of maximum activity, intensity, or demand. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peak time" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote periods of maximum activity or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides diverse examples from various sources. While alternatives like "busiest period" or "prime time" exist, "peak time" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Remember to use "peak time", and not "peak timing", to refer to a period of greatest activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peak season

A general term indicating the most active or profitable period for a business or industry.

busiest period

Focuses on the activity level, highlighting when things are most hectic.

height

Emphasizes the greatest intensity or degree of something, such as a fever or emotion.

busiest hour

Narrows the time frame, emphasizing the specific hour with the most activity.

rush hour

Specifically refers to periods of heavy traffic, often in commuting contexts.

maximum

Indicates the greatest possible amount or degree, focusing on quantifiable measurements.

high season

Typically used in tourism, referring to the time of year when travel is most popular.

prime time

Often used in broadcasting, referring to the hours when the largest audience is available.

climax

Refers to the culminating point of an event or process, often implying a dramatic or decisive moment.

zenith

Indicates the highest point or state, often used metaphorically to describe success or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "peak time" in a sentence?

You can use "peak time" to refer to the period when something is at its most active, intense, or popular. For example, "Traffic is heaviest during "peak time" in the morning and evening" or "The restaurant is busiest during the dinner "peak time"".

What is an alternative to saying "peak time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "busiest period", "rush hour" (for traffic), or "prime time" (for broadcasting) to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "peak timing" instead of "peak time"?

While "peak timing" might be understood, it's less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use "peak time" to refer to the busiest period. Consider alternatives like "optimal timing" if you need to discuss the precise moment when something should happen.

What's the difference between "peak time" and "off-peak time"?

"Peak time" refers to the period when something is at its highest level of activity or demand, while "off-peak time" refers to the period when activity or demand is significantly lower. For example, energy companies often charge higher rates during "peak time" and lower rates during "off-peak time".