runtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'runtime' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun, to refer to the period of time during which a particular program or piece of software is in operation. For example, "We need to make sure that the program is able to complete its entire runtime within 5 minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over a runtime of nearly two and a half hours, that means there are still a lot of subtitles to read.

The Guardian - Film

Now, the original trilogy's combined runtime is 386 minutes.

Independent

Of the film's 137-minute runtime, 49 minutes of it are taken up with driving, while its poignant ending has had early viewers in floods of tears.

Independent

In the film's first look, we see her in some sort of cave exploration gear, before later shivering in some grimy looking water and looking thoroughly possessed; plus the plot synopsis references the team's "mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity", suggesting Moore's inhabiting spirit may spend the film's runtime spiralling increasingly out of control.

Independent

The NB305's six-cell battery provides more than six hours of runtime on a single charge.

The New York Times - Tech

A mix of gently outraged populism and low-powered romantic comedy, Vishal Bhardwaj's "Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola" might have been better with a chunk lopped off its two-and-a-half-hour runtime.

The New York Times

Nowhere is this more dispiritingly evident than in efficiently designed crowd-pleasers like "Project 5," which feels shorter than its roughly hourlong runtime, rote in its themes and carelessly conceived in the selection and juxtaposition of its four sections.

The New York Times - Arts

It's refreshing to consume a piece of cinema that forces the viewer to grapple with an ambivalent central relationship for an extended runtime – a clever reflection of Liz's own untenable feelings about male relationships.

The Guardian - Film

Which is why Mozilla will be making lots of noise about web-apps, which take the browser and move it into an HTML5 runtime environment.

The Guardian - Tech

In a culture obsessed with runtime, Out 1 seems to have no runtime at all.

The Guardian - Film

Even with the 150-minute runtime, the irrepressible urge for manufactured song-and-dance, the full pony-show, Student of the Year still has a basic daffy exuberance that, with a Hollywood-scale marketing budget, can cross cultural boundaries: the Indian Glee, maybe?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the duration of a film or other media, use "runtime" to clearly indicate the length of the presentation. For example, 'The movie has a "runtime" of two hours.'

Common error

Avoid using "runtime" and "running time" interchangeably in all contexts. "Running time" is generally reserved for films and performances, while "runtime" can apply to software, processes, and other systems. Be mindful of the specific context to ensure the correct term is used.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "runtime" is as a noun, referring to the duration for which a program, process, or media file is running. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is widely accepted and used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Tech

15%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "runtime" functions primarily as a noun denoting the duration or operational period of processes, programs, or media files. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Tech domains. While "runtime" is versatile, it is important to note that it's not fully interchangeable with "running time", especially when referring to movies. Use "runtime" to describe software execution or general process durations, ensuring precision in technical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running time

Commonly used in the context of films and performances, indicating the duration of the show.

execution time

Focuses more specifically on the duration of a program's execution.

duration of execution

More formal phrasing that highlights the period during which a process is executing.

time in operation

Focuses on the amount of time a device or system is actively working.

operational duration

Emphasizes the length of time something is in operation or active.

operating period

Similar to 'period of operation' but can also refer to a scheduled time.

period of operation

Highlights the time frame during which a system or device is functioning.

performance length

Specifically refers to the duration of a performance or presentation.

length of activity

General term that refers to how long something is active or occurring.

active time

Simple alternative referring to how long something is active.

FAQs

How is "runtime" used in the context of software development?

In software development, "runtime" refers to the period during which a program is executing. It can also describe the environment in which the program runs, often called a "runtime environment".

What's the difference between "runtime" and compile time?

"Runtime" refers to when a program is executing, while compile time is when the source code is translated into executable code. Errors detected at "compile time" prevent the program from running, while "runtime errors" occur during execution.

What are common alternatives to "runtime" when referring to a movie's length?

When discussing the length of a movie, more common alternatives to "runtime" include "running time" or simply "length".

How does the "runtime" environment affect software performance?

The "runtime" environment, including factors like available memory and processor speed, directly affects how efficiently software executes. A well-optimized "runtime environment" can improve performance.