Skip to main content
time frame

time frame

87 3.1
A fixed period when something happens or is expected to happen
  • noun
  • /taɪm freɪm/
translation icon : plazo
  • The project is expected to be completed within a time frame of six months.
  • a short time frame
  • a long time frame
  • the same time frame

But then about that same time frame, I was in Australia.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Please submit your application by the end of the time frame we discussed.

  • The launch time frame is now confirmed.

  • You will have established a time frame on which to base your study.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Within such a short time frame, what threat could be big enough and certain enough?

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Another element to be considered is the short time frame during which observations occurred.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Another difficulty for the reform projects came from the short time frame in which curriculum change was funded.

    Academic text (1992)
  • What I want to suggest is that you set a realistic time frame for IVF attempts.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • During this time frame, the team will focus on developing new strategies.

Synonyms

time period
vstime frame
93 2.2

A length of time that includes certain events

is used for general expected periods rather than event marked ones
timescale
vstime frame
7 4.1

A period of time used to plan or describe when events happen

is a single expected period rather than a measuring system
time interval
vstime frame
4 3.3

A period between two events that you can measure

is a broader expected period, not necessarily precisely bounded
timespan
vstime frame
1 3.4

A period of time between a start and an end

is an expected period during which something happens

How Long

era
775 2.5
term
5.8
time frame
87 3.1
period
2.1
moment
1.0

Surface Forms

time frame singular
time frames plural

Morphology

time + frame

The meaning 'a period during which something happens' is directly derivable from combining 'time' (a span) with 'frame' (a bounding structure or window) — essentially a time window or boundary. This compositional pattern is common across languages and follows transparent metaphorical extension, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Time frame comes from the picture-frame image: a frame shows only part of a scene, and time is the thing being shown, so a time frame is a limited slice of time. That's why it means a set 'period' when something will happen.