Meaning of Downtime | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Time lost due to the failure of some system or machinery, such as a computer crash or power outage.
   countable, uncountable
2. A period of time when work or other activity is less intense or stops.
   countable, uncountable
3. A period of time set aside for relaxation and rest; leisure time, free time.
   Canada, US, countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“A short internet outage might sound⟳ like⟳ a trifling matter⟳ – don’t we all need⟳ a little bit of time offline now and then? – but for many, the pervasiveness of the so-called “internet of things” meant downtime at Amazon affected their physical life as well as their digital one.”

“As the world turns inward, trapped inside in various stages of pandemic quarantine, numerous songwriting luminaries (often blessed with their own⟳ in-home studios) have⟳ tried to use⟳ the downtime creatively—from Millennial stars like⟳ Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande to longtime veterans like⟳ Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello.”

“I’ve been working all weekend. I need⟳ some downtime.”

“But scientists point⟳ to an unanticipated side effect: when people keep⟳ their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting downtime that could allow⟳ them to better learn⟳ and remember⟳ information, or come⟳ up with new ideas.”

“‘We need⟳ to use⟳ the downtime, when things are calm, to prepare⟳ for when things get⟳ serious in the decades to come⟳,’ he [Demis Hassabis] has said. ‘The time we have⟳ now is valuable, and we need⟳ to make⟳ use⟳ of it.’”

CEFR level