Central Standard Time

Meanings

1. 1proper noununcountable

   the standard time used in the central part of the US and Canada, six hours behind UTC in winter.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed name; no article before it: Central Standard Time is six hours behind UTC.

   Patterns

   • in Central Standard Time
   • Central Standard Time is ...
   • 6 a.m. Central Standard Time

   The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Central Standard Time, so people on the East Coast join at 10 a.m.

   Chicago is on Central Standard Time in winter.

   The radio station gives the news at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time.

2. 2abbreviation

   the abbreviation CST, written after a clock time to show it is in this time zone.

   Grammar: Written after a time: 3:00 p.m. CST. It can also stand for other time zones, so context matters.

   Patterns

   • 3 p.m. CST
   • CST stands for Central Standard Time

   The flight lands at 4:15 p.m. CST.

   Please put CST after the time so nobody gets confused.

Common combinations

Central Standard Time zone

Texas is mostly in the Central Standard Time zone.

6 p.m. Central Standard Time

The game begins at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time.

be on Central Standard Time

In January, New Orleans is on Central Standard Time.

switch to Central Standard Time

In November, clocks switch back to Central Standard Time.

Synonyms and how they differ

CST

The short written form; use it after a clock time, but say the full name when speaking.

Central Daylight Time

The summer version of the same zone, one hour ahead; use it between March and November.

Commonly confused: Central Standard Time or CST?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “Central Standard Time”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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