1. noun The present time, or nearly so. The term is used in applications in which some kind of result or imagery is displayed simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) with when it is occurring. The images you're seeing are in real time—this is a live broadcast.

2. adjective Immediate or nearly immediate; present and completely up-to-date. Often hyphenated. Don't worry, we can get real-time information on the other flights that are available.