A pastime is an activity you do regularly for enjoyment during your free time. Reading, building model airplanes, playing chess, gardening, or collecting stamps can all be pastimes. The word comes from the idea of passing time pleasantly: a pastime is something that makes hours fly by because you're enjoying yourself.

Pastimes differ from chores or homework because you choose to do them. They're also different from quick distractions. A pastime is something you return to again and again, developing skill or knowledge as you go. Someone might spend years with photography as a pastime, learning about light and composition. Another person might make woodworking their pastime, gradually mastering different techniques.

Before television and video games became common, people relied heavily on pastimes like playing musical instruments, doing puzzles, or playing card games. Baseball became known as “America's favorite pastime” because so many people played it recreationally and followed professional games. Today, people still need pastimes: reliable activities that refresh them after school or work and give them something meaningful to look forward to.