timestamp

When it happened

A timestamp is a record of when something occurred—a date, time, or both, attached to data or documents.

Computers generate timestamps automatically: file creation times, message send times, transaction records.

In video, a timestamp marks a specific moment: Skip to timestamp 3:42.

As a verb, to timestamp is to mark something with its time of occurrence.

recording

log

Sectioned tree trunk

entryAccess or submission
notationSystem of written symbols
archiveStored historical records

register · file · journal · ledger · annotation · transcript · chronicle · minutes · documentation · catalog

digital

unix

Portable multitasking operating system

epochDistinct historical period
metadataDescriptive information about content
synchronizationAligning timing across systems

server · database · UTC · millisecond · nanosecond · logging · format · parsing · precision · conversion

moment

instant

Briefest unit of time

snapshotInformal photograph taken quickly
pointExact location or meaning
captureTake into custody

freeze-frame · mark · juncture · occurrence · event · occasion · instance · interval · duration · tick

evidence

verification

Proving something accurate

authenticationConfirming genuine identity
proofDemonstration of truth
documentationWritten proof or instructions

validation · certification · attestation · alibi · forensic · tamper-proof · notarization · witness · legal · admissibility

Categories

blockchainblockchain, blocks, chains, hashes, hash
chronoclock, watch, stopwatch, sundial, hourglass
timesecond, minute, hour, day, seconds
timekeepingclock, watch, watches, clocks, calendar
computingcomputer, computers, software, hardware, code
time conceptsclock, calendar, hour, minute, second

Opposites

temporal vs. spatial marking

timestampgeotag

Embedded position data

coordinates · address · geotagging · GPS coordinates · geolocator

precision vs. vagueness in temporal reference

timestampundated

Lacking temporal marker

timeless · dateless · approximation · estimate · rough estimate

recorded vs. unrecorded time

timestampunmarked

Having no visible identification

unrecorded · undocumented · unlogged · untimed · off the record

Family

timestamps, timestamped, timestamping

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G