residence time

noun

: the duration of persistence of a mass or substance in a medium or place (such as the atmosphere)

Examples of residence time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Most geologists who work with zircon would agree that zircon doesn't give us magma residence time, that is the time since the magma first formed. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2012 The bacterial transfer rate to food decreased as the bacterial residence time on the surface increased from 2, 4, 8 to 24 h with transfers of 6.5, 4.8, 4.6 and 3.9 log CFU ml(-1) in the rinse solutions, respectively. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of residence time was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near residence time

Cite this Entry

“Residence time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residence%20time. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on residence time

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!