by the time
idiom
: at the time : when
I had lived in 12 different cities by the time I turned 18.
By the time she showed up, I was finished eating.
Examples of by the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Écija agreed, adding that Spanish producers should look for stories grounded in current, relatable experiences rather than chasing trends that have worked elsewhere but could be out of favor by the time a show is ready to air.
—
Jamie Lang, Variety, 14 May 2024
But by the time detectives arrived to investigate, Greer was gone.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for by the time 
Jamie Lang, Variety, 14 May 2024
But by the time detectives arrived to investigate, Greer was gone.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for by the time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by the time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near by the time
Cite this Entry
“By the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20the%20time. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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