coordinated universal time

[ koh-awr-dn-ey-tid yoo-nuh-vur-suhl tahym ]
See synonyms for coordinated universal time on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Greenwich Time that is adjusted to minimize its divergence from international atomic time. Abbreviation: UTC

Origin of coordinated universal time

1
First recorded in 1965–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

Scientific definitions for coordinated universal time

coordinated universal time

[ kō-ôrdn-ā′tĭd ]


  1. A highly accurate time scale based on time measured by an atomic clock. Because coordinated universal time is unaffected by the gradual slowing of Earth's rotation, leap seconds are added as needed to synchronize it with the sidereal (rotation-based) universal time. Coordinated universal time is used internationally for scientific and technical purposes. Compare universal time.

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