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Technical Vocabularynoun · /ˈtaɪm.aʊt/

timeout

In simple English

In software engineering, a timeout is triggered when an application or service waits longer than expected for a response or action. For example, if your code tries to connect to a database but receives no response within 30 seconds, a timeout error occurs and the request stops. Timeouts prevent applications from hanging indefinitely and wasting system resources. They are commonly used in network requests, database queries, API calls, and user interface interactions. Engineers set timeout values based on expected response times, and monitoring timeouts helps identify performance bottlenecks or service failures.

Understanding what happens when a process exceeds its time limit in software systems.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓The request hit a timeout
✓We are getting timeout errors in production
✓Increase the timeout value to 60 seconds

Real examples

in a standup

"We identified that the API timeout was set too low, causing requests to fail prematurely."

in a code review

"Good catch—we should add a timeout configuration here to prevent the connection from hanging indefinitely."

in a team meeting

"The database timeout has been increased from 5 to 15 seconds to accommodate slower queries during peak hours."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse timeout (a system interrupt) with time out (a rest break). Also, timeout is typically a noun in tech contexts; using it as a verb is less formal.

✕The system will timeout if you do not respond.
✓The system will return a timeout error if you do not respond.— Timeout is a noun referring to the error state, not a verb describing what the system does.
✕We need a timeout to rest before the meeting.
✓We need a break before the meeting. (In tech, use 'timeout' only for technical processes.)— In tech contexts, timeout refers to system interrupts, not rest periods.
✕Set the timeout very high so it never happens.
✓Set an appropriate timeout value based on expected response time.— Very high timeouts defeat the purpose of preventing resource waste; they should be realistic.

Other forms

noun

timeout

"A timeout occurred during the database query."

noun

timeout error

"Users are seeing timeout errors when uploading large files."

noun

timeout value

"We need to increase the timeout value from 10 to 30 seconds."

Often used with

timeout errorThe most common phrase; refers to the specific error message returned when time limit is exceeded
timeout valueThe configurable time limit set by engineers for a specific process or connection
connection timeoutSpecifically refers to a timeout when establishing a connection to a remote service
request timeoutRefers to a timeout when waiting for a response to an HTTP or API request
set a timeoutTo configure or establish a timeout value in code
increase the timeoutTo extend the time limit to allow more time for a process to complete

Similar words

connection timeoutMore specific; refers only to timeouts during connection establishment
deadline exceededMore formal term; less commonly used in everyday tech conversations
time limit exceededMore descriptive but less concise than timeout

Opposites

successresponsecompletion

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your colleague reports that the API is not responding. What is the most natural way to describe this?

Complete the sentence

2. We should increase the _______ from 5 to 15 seconds to handle slower network conditions.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses 'timeout' incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this sentence using 'timeout' naturally: 'The system stopped waiting because too much time passed.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "timeout" in a standup this week?

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