time constant

noun

A characteristic of an exponential function, represented by τ in the function

“y(t)=y_oe.”

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Meanings

nountime constant (plural time constants)

plural time constants · alternative time-constant

  1. mathematicsA characteristic of an exponential function, represented by τ in the function

    y(t)=y_oe.

  2. natural sciencesThe time in which a physical system's response to a step-wise change in an external variable reaches approximately 63% of its final (asymptotic) value.
  3. For radioactivity: the decay constant.

Translations

Finnish aikavakio, aikavakio
  • aikavakiomath: characteristic of exponential function
  • aikavakiophysics: characteristic of step response
Cite this entry
APA

time constant. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/time%20constant

MLA

“time constant.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/time%20constant. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “time constant,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/time%20constant.

Source: time constant on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.