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Definition of nanosecond

nanosecond

/ˈnæn.oʊˌsek.ənd/
na · no · sec · ond
Plural:nanoseconds
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nanosecond Lexical Profile

nanosecond Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A unit of time equal to one billionth of a second, commonly used in physics, telecommunications, and computing.

Example

"Light travels approximately one foot in a single nanosecond."

2

An extremely short period of time; an instant (used hyperbolically).

Example

"She didn't hesitate for a nanosecond before accepting the job offer."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nanosecond
Antonyms
View all antonyms for nanosecond

• Nearby Words

nanometer
nanoplastic
nanoscience
nanosecond
nanostructure
nanostructured
nanotech

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century from the metric prefix 'nano-' (derived from Ancient Greek 'nanos', meaning 'dwarf') combined with 'second'.

Cite this Entry

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