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Definition of downtime

downtime

/ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm/
down · time
Plural:downtimes
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downtime Lexical Profile

downtime Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Time during which a person is not working or engaged in demanding activity and is free to rest, relax, or pursue personal interests.

Example

"After a hectic week of exams, she spent her weekend downtime reading novels in the garden."

2

A period during which a machine, computer system, or factory is out of action, unavailable for use, or unable to work, typically due to maintenance, power failure, or technical malfunction.

Example

"The IT department scheduled the server upgrade for midnight to minimize system downtime for customers."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

downswept
downswing
downtick
downtime
downtown
downtrend
downtrodden

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-20th century as an industrial compound of 'down' (in the sense of 'out of order' or 'inactive') and 'time', originally referring to periods when factory machinery was stopped for repairs before expanding to computing and personal leisure.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Downtime. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/downtime
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