Meaning & use
reaction time
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The short span between something happening that you notice and the moment you begin to respond to it with an action.
Grammar: Often with the: her reaction time was fast; also uncountable in general statements.
Patterns
- reaction time to something
- reaction time of 200 milliseconds
A tired driver has a slower reaction time on the road.
Her reaction time on the sprint start was among the best in the race.
The test measures your reaction time to a flashing light.
nouncountable or uncountablechemistry
In chemistry, the length of time needed for a reaction to reach a certain stage or finish.
Grammar: Used with a specified process: the reaction time was ten minutes.
Patterns
- reaction time of something
Raising the temperature shortened the reaction time in the experiment.
The students recorded the reaction time for each sample.
Word forms
| plural | reaction times |
|---|
Common combinations
- quick reaction time
- Goalkeepers need a quick reaction time.
- slow reaction time
- Lack of sleep leads to a slow reaction time.
- improve your reaction time
- Video games may help you improve your reaction time.
- average reaction time
- The average reaction time to a sound is shorter than to a sight.
- measure reaction time
- The lab used a button to measure reaction time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- response time
- Response time is broader and common in computing and emergency services, while reaction time centers on a person's reflex.
- reflex
- A reflex is an automatic, unthinking movement, whereas reaction time includes the delay before a chosen response.
- latency
- Latency is a technical term for delay in systems, and rarely applies to people.
Word family
- react verb
- to respond to something
- reaction noun
- a response to an event
- reactive adjective
- responding to events rather than planning ahead
- reactivity noun
- the degree to which something responds
Commonly confused: reaction time or reflex time?
reaction time vs reflex time
Reflex time refers only to the automatic nerve response, while reaction time includes the decision to act.
Practice
Which sentence uses reaction time correctly?
Choose one answer.
Reaction time means the delay before responding to a stimulus, which fits driving and fatigue. The other options misuse it as a schedule, a quality or an object.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reaction time”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.