Millisecond - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A millisecond is a unit of time equal to one-thousandth of a second. It is commonly used to measure very short durations, such as computer processing speeds or reaction times.
Definition:
One thousandth of a second, used to measure very short time intervals.
Synonyms:
ms, thousandth of a second, microsecond (context-dependent)
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
hour, century
Common Collocations:
split-second timing, reaction time, computer processing
Derivatives:
milliseconds, milliseconding (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "millisecond" for precise timing in science, technology, or sports contexts where fractions of a second matter.
Common Phrases:
in a millisecond, faster than a millisecond, blink of an eye (figurative)
Etymology:
From Latin "mille" (thousand) + "second," indicating a tiny fraction of time.
Examples:
- 1. A millisecond is incredibly fast—faster than a blink!
- 2. The computer processed the data in just a few milliseconds.
- 3. She finished the race milliseconds ahead of her rival.
- 4. Light travels about 300 kilometers in one millisecond.