split second
Americannoun
-
a fraction of a second.
-
an infinitesimal amount of time; instant; twinkling.
noun
adjective
-
made or arrived at in an infinitely short time
a split-second decision
-
depending upon minute precision
split-second timing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of split second
First recorded in 1880–85
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.
The decision to leave, which she had agonized over for months, had come to her in a split second.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
For very small particles, the entire event lasts only a split second before the material completely burns up.
From Science Daily • May 14, 2026
"Timothy turned back, and in only a split second he immediately hugged Shahin," recalled Reza.
From BBC • May 11, 2026
"It all happened so fast, in a split second," Sausan recounted.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
But he did, and for a moment, for that single split second, Sergio thought his father had really gotten him something.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
