downtime

[ doun-tahym ]

noun

1. a time times during a regular working period when an employee is not actively productive.
2. an interval during which a machine is not productive, as during repair, malfunction, maintenance.

downtime

/ ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm /

noun

1. See idle time
   commerce time during which a machine or plant is not working because it is incapable of production, as when under repair: the term is sometimes used to include all nonproductive time Compare idle time
2. informal.
   time spent not working; spare time

Word History and Origins

Origin of downtime¹

First recorded in 1925–30; down ¹ + time

Example Sentences

Developers are signing on to contribute to open-source communities and virtual hackathons during their downtime, using their skills to create a more sustainable world.

From TechCrunch

The intent is to stop thinking of downtime as inherently bad, and to not require the constant distraction of your phone or computer.

From Popular-Science

The company said its workers make an average of $22 an hour nationwide when not counting this downtime.

From Washington Post

They need downtime, have relationships and have their own emotional needs too.

From Digiday

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame co-inductee has used some of the quarantine downtime to focus on humanitarian work via his “Music Is Unity” Foundation.

From Essence.com

Presidents have always needed downtime to recharge to face the next crisis.

From The Daily Beast

Is it becoming part of the SNL contract that you do voices for this show in your downtime?

From The Daily Beast

When we were having downtime and back at the hotel, I just slept a lot.

From The Daily Beast

Did you two engage in any hobbies or games together in your downtime?

From The Daily Beast

A new procedure for hysterectomies, done via robotic arm via a single incision, results in no scarring and little downtime.

From The Daily Beast

Only the card reader has had any downtime of consequence, and modifications seem to have resolved its problems.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• free time
• spare time