cycle time [`sī·kǝl ´tīm] COMPUTER SCIENCE The shortest time elapsed between one store (or fetch) and the next store (or fetch) in the same memory unit. Also known as memory cycle. PETROLEUM ENGINEERING In a drilling operation, the time needed for the pump to move the drilling fluid in a bore hole. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The time required to carry out a sequence of activities repeated in each performance of an operation. |