Timeout

Timeout, or time-out, is a deliberate pause in activity for a defined period. It is used to rest, reset, or enforce rules, with the exact purpose and duration varying by context.

In sports and games, a timeout is a stoppage granted to a team or player. A coach may request it to rest players, discuss strategy, or make substitutions. The game clock is paused during the timeout, and its length is determined by the league.

In computing and networking, a timeout ends an operation if no response is received within a specified time. Timeouts prevent indefinite hangs and resource exhaustion. Common types include request timeouts, connection timeouts, and idle timeouts; when a timeout occurs, an error may be reported or a retry may be attempted.

In medicine and safety, a time-out is a formal pause before a procedure to verify essential details such as patient identity, procedure, and site. It is part of safety checklists intended to prevent wrong-site or wrong-procedure errors.

In education and child development, a time-out is a disciplinary technique that briefly removes a child from an activity to calm down and reflect on behavior. Its effectiveness depends on age, context, and consistency.

Originating from the simple words time and out, the term has become a general label for planned pauses, with specialized meanings in professional fields. See also: pause, break, deadline.