time trial

noun

: a competitive event (as in auto racing) in which individuals are successively timed over a set course or distance

Examples of time trial in a Sentence

He posted the second best lap in the time trials.
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.
Even his build-up for the European Championships was focused on turning the 10,000m into a time trial. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026 If the gap is more than 25%, the dupe may be worth a one-time trial. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Wiggins took advantage of lengthy individual time trial stages in his title-winning year. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Joey Logano, who started from the pole by the rule book when rain washed out time trials, finished 20th and fell from third to fourth in the standings, a distant 67 points out of the lead. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for time trial

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of time trial was in 1857

Rhymes for time trial

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Browse Nearby Words

time travel
time trial
time-trip
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Cite this Entry

“Time trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/time%20trial. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on time trial

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about time trial

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