time lag

[tahym-lag] / ˈtaɪmˌlæg /

NOUN

lapse of time

Synonyms

WEAK

delay interval lagging space time gap time warp

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In contrast, US energy companies ExxonMobil and Chevron saw their profits decline, results affected by an unfavourable time lag between the sale and delivery of products within the derivatives markets.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

“We’re thinking there’s going to be a one- to two-month time lag between the strait opening up and the market seeing normal flows,” Woods said.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

Financial adviser William Burrows, of the Annuity Project, said there was a time lag, so annuity rates were likely to continue rising.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

“There’s a time lag that can create a mismatch between market conditions and rates,” said Tim Zawacki, an S&P analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

For all that, the pair did succeed in measuring the time lag of the photoelectric effect at about two billionths of a second.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik