burn time
"Burn time" is commonly used in contexts involving combustion, such as in rocket science and everyday wood-burning activities. It can also be used idiomatically to describe wasting time.
Definition
C1Rocket Science
(technical, academic)The duration during which the propellant in a rocket engine is completely consumed.
Example
- The rocket's burn time was precisely calculated to ensure it reached the correct orbit.
B2Wood Burning
(technical, everyday)The total duration a single load of wood burns from ignition to smoldering.
Example
- The burn time of this wood is approximately six hours, depending on the stove settings.
B2General
(everyday)The period during which any fuel or material undergoes combustion.
Example
- The burn time of the candle was about two hours.
B2Idiomatic
(informal)To waste time unnecessarily.
Example
- He spent the afternoon burning time instead of working on his project.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "burn time":
heat timeburn inholding timehold timeback timestay timeburn awayslow burnwall timelive timetransition timepush timesuicide burnburn offgain timecontrolled burnburn outstandby timestorage timeburn upflat time