pastime

[ pas-tahym, pahs- ]

noun

1. something that serves to make time pass agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport:

   to play cards as a pastime.

   Synonyms: avocation, diversion, hobby, entertainment

pastime

/ ˈpɑːsˌtaɪm /

noun

1. an activity or entertainment which makes time pass pleasantly

   golf is my favourite pastime

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastime¹

1480–90; earlier pas ( s ) e tyme, translation of Middle French passe-temps

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastime¹

C15: from pass + time , on the model of French passe-temps

Example Sentences

With its pastel hues, string soundtrack and never-ending stream of slightly naughty puns, “Great British Baking Show” is so pleasant to watch that it’s easy to forget that baking can be an incredibly stressful pastime, as anyone who has ever attempted to make a homemade funfetti cake shaped like Bluey can tell you.

From Los Angeles Times

This is not speed chess, to reference Reeves’s favourite pastime.

From BBC

Baseball may be known as “America’s pastime”, but its biggest star is from Japan.

From BBC

Major League Baseball has a once-in-a-lifetime player in the World Series, a once-in-a-generation clash of the titans as the matchup, a blessed chance to reclaim at least some of the verity behind the phrase “national pastime.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latest installment of the university’s “Teens and Screens” report — which surveyed 1,500 young people across the U.S. aged 10 to 24 — identified going to see a film on opening weekend as adolescents’ No. 1 preferred pastime when cost, transportation and other barriers are removed from the equation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• diversion
• fun
• hobby
• recreation