pastime

noun

pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm How to pronounce pastime (audio)
Synonyms of pastime
: something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably : diversion
Her favorite pastime is gardening.
Baseball has been a national pastime for many years.

Examples of pastime in a Sentence

Baseball has been a national pastime for years.
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.
The original seven-acre property and winery that is today known as Lagar de Fornelos was built by brothers who were local boat makers and started the winery as a weekend pastime for their families. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 Fill out our form and share your favorite Halloween pastimes and the stories behind them. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Irma is not going to resolve her dilemma by having sex or cutting loose, nor by renouncing such pastimes and doubling down on intellect. — B. D. McClay, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Did team owners or the Polo Grounds lose any money because of this gesture to the national pastime? — Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pastime

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastime was in the 15th century

Rhymes for pastime

See All Rhymes for pastime

Browse Nearby Words

pastille
pastime
pastina
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pastime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastime. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pastime

noun
pas·​time ˈpas-ˌtīm How to pronounce pastime (audio)
: something that helps to make time pass agreeably

More from Merriam-Webster on pastime

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