timeout

American  

[tahym-out] / ˈtaɪmˈaʊt /

Or time-out

noun

plural

timeouts

1. a brief suspension of activity; intermission or break.

2. Sports. a short interruption in a regular period of play during which a referee or other official stops the clock so that the players may rest, deliberate, make substitutions, etc.

3. a short time alone used as a punishment or consequence for a child who is misbehaving.

4. Computers.

   1. the termination of a process or event that is taking longer than expected to proceed, and that is more likely to be successful if relaunched, resubmitted, etc.

   2. the severing of an online connection after a period of inactivity, as when a user is logged out of a secure session on a webpage after a fixed period of time.

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Etymology

Origin of timeout

First recorded in 1870–75; time ( def. ) + out ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

If things get too exciting, and action seems imminent, players will frequently call timeout to have a confab in the middle of the field.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

The Suns then called a timeout to set up O’Neale’s winning shot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

However, Ifab is not expected to pass any resolution to tackle the tactical timeout.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

But when I heard Doris come in, I called a timeout and started making up my bed.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds