leap second
noun
: an intercalary second added to Coordinated Universal Time to compensate for the slowing of the earth's rotation and keep Coordinated Universal Time in synchrony with solar time
Examples of leap second in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like my wife, the world’s timekeepers have been forced to adjust their clocks, adding thirty-seven leap seconds since 1972.
—
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2024
Few computer programs are written to allow for a negative leap second.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
Perhaps this should hasten the leap second’s demise.
—Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 26 July 2024
While leap seconds have largely been absorbed into current mechanisms, experts say, a negative leap second — or, a minute with only 59 seconds — could pose an entirely new challenge.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leap second 
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2024
Few computer programs are written to allow for a negative leap second.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
Perhaps this should hasten the leap second’s demise.
—Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 26 July 2024
While leap seconds have largely been absorbed into current mechanisms, experts say, a negative leap second — or, a minute with only 59 seconds — could pose an entirely new challenge.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leap second
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“Leap second.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leap%20second. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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