downtime means time lost due to the failure of some system or machinery, such as a computer crash or power outage. Lexicurio rates it Distinctive — a strength score of 69 out of 100.
downtime is pronounced /ˈdaʊntaɪm/.
Etymology
From down (“out of order; out of service; inoperable”) + time.
noun
- Time lost due to the failure of some system or machinery, such as a computer crash or power outage.“A short internet outage might sound like a trifling matter – don’t we all need a little bit of time offline now and then? – but for many, the pervasiveness of the so-called “internet of things” meant downtime at Amazon affected their physical life as well as their digital one.”
- A period of time when work or other activity is less intense or stops.“As the world turns inward, trapped inside in various stages of pandemic quarantine, numerous songwriting luminaries (often blessed with their own in-home studios) have tried to use the downtime creatively—from Millennial stars like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande to longtime veterans like Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello.”
- A period of time set aside for relaxation and rest; leisure time, free time.“I’ve been working all weekend. I need some downtime.”
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