A timer is a device that measures time, especially one that is part of a machine and causes it to start or stop working at specific times.
...electronic timers that automatically switch on the lights when it gets dark.
2. See also egg timer
timer in British English
(ˈtaɪmə)
noun
1.
a device for measuring, recording, or indicating time
2.
a switch or regulator that causes a mechanism to operate at a specific time or at predetermined intervals
3.
a person or thing that times
timer in American English
(ˈtaɪmər)
noun
1.
a.
timekeeper
b.
stopwatch
2. US
in internal-combustion engines, any part or system designed to control the timing of the spark in the cylinder
3.
any of various devices for timing, or automatically starting and stopping at predetermined times, the operation of some mechanism
Examples of 'timer' in a sentence
timer
The device could have been exploded by remote control or timer at any time.
The Sun (2006)
Hold this position for one minute using an egg timer.
The Sun (2010)
Instead put your heating on a timer switch so it comes on for a couple of hours each day.
The Sun (2012)
Different distances are available for anyone to take part, from first timer to Elite competitor.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Let's face it, anything more technical than an egg timer confuses them.
The Sun (2008)
So while the opponent's seeing a red card, the old timer gets a flashing blue light.
The Sun (2008)
Get an egg timer to make hair and teeth brushing a game - and give them a sticker and praise if they do it within the time.
The Sun (2012)
There is also an egg timer to remind me to keep writing for a set amount of time before I check emails.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
As with all heating appliances, make sure you fit timer switches to minimise waste when you're not using it.
The Sun (2013)
WHILE most City executives are pulling on their tin hats, one old timer has decided to return to the fray.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To make sure you hit the right time, keep a two-minute egg timer in the bathroom or check to see if your electric toothbrush has a timer.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
timer
British English: timer /ˈtaɪmə/ NOUN
A timer is a device that measures time, especially one that is part of a machine and causes it to start or stop working at specific times.
...electronic timers that automatically switch on the lights when it gets dark.
American English: timer
Arabic: عدَّاد
Brazilian Portuguese: cronômetro
Chinese: 定时器
Croatian: tajmer
Czech: časový spínač
Danish: timer
Dutch: timer
European Spanish: temporizador
Finnish: ajastin
French: minuteur
German: Zeitschaltuhr
Greek: χρονοδιακόπτης
Italian: timer
Japanese: タイマー
Korean: 타이머
Norwegian: tidtaker
Polish: stoper
European Portuguese: cronómetro
Romanian: comutator temporizat
Russian: таймер
Latin American Spanish: temporizador
Swedish: tidtagarur
Thai: เครื่องจับเวลา
Turkish: saat fırın vb
Ukrainian: таймер
Vietnamese: thiết bị bấm giờ
All related terms of 'timer'
egg timer
An egg timer is a device that measures the time needed to boil an egg.
old-timer
If you refer to someone as an old-timer , you mean that he or she has been living in a particular place or doing a particular job for a long time.
first-timer
A first-timer is someone who does something for the first time.
full-timer
A full-timer is someone who works full-time .
part-timer
A part-timer is a person who works part-time .
self-timer
a mechanism in a camera that operates a delay between the operation of the shutter release and the opening of the shutter, enabling the photographer to be included in the photograph
big time
You can use big time to refer to the highest level of an activity or sport where you can achieve the greatest amount of success or importance . If you describe a person as big time , you mean they are successful and important .
two-time
to deceive (someone, esp a lover ) by carrying on a relationship with another
small-time
If you refer to workers or businesses as small-time , you think they are not very important because their work is limited in extent or not very successful .