time frame

noun

variants or less commonly timeframe
: a period of time especially with respect to some action or project

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time frame or timeframe?

Should time frame be written as one word or two? At present, it is most commonly styled as two words with no hyphen in between.

Compounds, or “words consisting of components that are words,” come in three varieties: open (two words with a space between them, such as lima bean), hyphenated (two words with a hyphen between them, such as runner-up), and closed (one word, such as rowboat). In some cases, competing compound stylings appear in different publications. This is generally acceptable as long as the spelling remains consistent throughout a book or periodical.

Compounds have a tendency to move from open to closed as time goes by, and our evidence suggests that time frame is headed in this direction. At this point, however, the open compound is far more prevalent.

Examples of time frame in a Sentence

They were not able to finish the project within the established time frame.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hernandez was reported missing from her family’s Lake Elsinore neighborhood three times in 2024, and she was spotted at some of D4vd’s concerts during that time frame. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 Those placed on probation for hazing during that time frame included Theta Chi, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Chi, Sigma Pi, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Beta Theta Pi. Matthew Kelly april 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026 An earlier version mischaracterized the time frame. Steve Liesman, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 According to Lee, there are medications that can help but would need to be administered within a specific time frame. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for time frame

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of time frame was in 1893

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Time frame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/time%20frame. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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