Timeout (computing)

In telecommunication and related engineering (including computer networking and programming), the term timeout or time-out has several meanings, including:

• A network parameter related to an enforced event designed to occur at the conclusion of a predetermined elapsed time.
• A specified period of time that will be allowed to elapse in a system before a specified event is to take place, unless another specified event occurs first; in either case, the period is terminated when either event takes place. Note: A timeout condition can be canceled by the receipt of an appropriate time-out cancellation signal.
• An event that occurs at the end of a predetermined period of time that began at the occurrence of another specified event. The timeout can be prevented by an appropriate signal.