l, reel]
| 1. | Computers. the actual time elapsed in the performance of a computation by a computer, the result of the computation being required for the continuation of a physical process. |
| 2. | the actual time during which a process takes place or an event occurs. |
| 3. | in real time, Informal. at once; instantaneously. |

A term used to describe computer systems that update information at the same rate as they receive data.
real-time