2Science the time taken for a system to return to a state of equilibrium; specifically (in cases in which the process of return is exponential), the time taken for the deviation from equilibrium to be reduced by a factor e.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Westminster Review.
Definition of relaxation time in US English:
relaxation time
noun
1A time set aside for relaxation.
2Science the time taken for a system to return to a state of equilibrium; specifically (in cases in which the process of return is exponential), the time taken for the deviation from equilibrium to be reduced by a factor e.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Westminster Review.