timeout

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "timeout" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a break in activity for a short amount of time. Example sentence: "We took a timeout from the game to get a drink of water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(I'd spend the next six weeks bemoaning the arbitrary nature of video review. To wit, if the basket hadn't occurred right before a TV timeout, would the refs had conferred the replay?) I immediately got that disgusting feeling in my stomach typically reserved for Philly sports teams in big moments.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to reach French Open final – as it happened The Scot later sidestepped suggestions that Djokovic had at least stretched the boundaries of propriety when, having been two sets up on Friday night, he took an eight-minute medical timeout after losing the third set in fading light with a storm brewing (both meteorological and metaphorical).

The Guardian - Sport

In 2007, she called for a "timeout" on trade deals and said "Nafta was a mistake to the extent that it did not deliver on what we had hoped it would".

The Guardian - Opinion

Cut to TV timeout.

The Guardian - Sport

This dinner-party discussion has been turned into the basis for a book by TimeOut.

The Economist

She has talked of "a little timeout" before new trade deals are made exactly what the party's left has been asking for.Mr Obama has carefully avoided any such rhetoric.

The Economist

"Crash" became hookii (a cow falling over but not dying); "timeout" became a honaama (your fish has got away).

The Economist

In international basketball, only the coach can call a timeout.

The Economist

In April he called a timeout in America's long campaign for a stronger Chinese exchange rate, postponing a report that might have accused China of currency manipulation.

The Economist

Speed up the screen timeout Keeping the screen on unnecessarily uses up charge, so turn it down as short as you can.

Independent

8) If the remembering doesn't help, take a timeout over a pint of Pepsi (or something more soothing, if you're not driving).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "timeout" in technical contexts (e.g., programming), clearly define the maximum allowed time for a process to complete, ensuring error handling is in place.

Common error

Avoid using "timeout" interchangeably with terms like 'delay' or 'postponement' if the intention isn't a planned or agreed-upon break. A "timeout" implies a structured interruption, not just a general hold-up.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "timeout" is as a noun, referring to a temporary break or interruption. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where "timeout" serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating its role as a thing or concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "timeout" is a versatile noun referring to a temporary break or interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media and sports contexts, indicating a planned pause, whether in a game or another activity. Related phrases include "short break" and "temporary suspension". When using "timeout", be sure to clarify its purpose and duration to avoid confusion. Avoid using it interchangeably with general terms like 'delay' if a structured interruption is not intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time out

A two-word variation of the original phrase.

pause

A general term for a temporary stop.

short break

Focuses on the brevity of the pause.

temporary suspension

Highlights the temporary nature of the interruption.

brief recess

Implies a formal or scheduled pause.

intermission

Suggests a break in a performance or event.

respite

Emphasizes a period of relief or rest.

breather

Informal term for a short rest.

cessation

Highlights the end of an activity for a limited time.

cooling-off period

Emphasizes a period for calming down or reflecting.

FAQs

How to use "timeout" in a sentence?

You can use "timeout" to refer to a break in a game or a period of separation as a disciplinary measure. For example: "The coach called a "timeout" to discuss strategy", or "The child was given a "timeout" for misbehaving".

What can I say instead of "timeout" in a sports context?

Alternatives include "break", "intermission", or "pause". The best choice depends on the specific situation and the level of formality desired.

Is "time out" or "timeout" correct?

Both "time out" and "timeout" can be correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Time out" (two words) is often used as a verb phrase, while "timeout" (one word) is more commonly used as a noun. For example: "Let's take a time out" versus "The coach called a timeout".

What's the difference between "timeout" and "delay"?

A "timeout" is a planned and intentional break, often with a specific purpose. A "delay", on the other hand, is an unplanned or unintentional postponement. A "timeout" is controlled; a "delay" is often not.