A time standard is a specification for measuring time: either the rate at which time passes; or points

in time; or both. In modern times, several time specifications have been officially recognized as
standards, where formerly they were matters of custom and practice. An example of a kind of time
standard can be a time scale, specifying a method for measuring divisions of time. A standard for
civil time can specify both time intervals and time-of-day.

Standardized time measurements are made using a clock to count periods of some period changes,
which may be either the changes of a natural phenomenon or of an artificial machine.

Historically, time standards were often based on the Earth's rotational period. From the late 18
century to the 19th century it was assumed that the Earth's daily rotational rate was
constant.[1] Astronomical observations of several kinds, including eclipse records, studied in the 19th
century, raised suspicions that the rate at which Earth rotates is gradually slowing and also shows
small-scale irregularities, and this was confirmed in the early twentieth century.[2] Time standards
based on Earth rotation were replaced (or initially supplemented) for astronomical use from 1952
onwards by an ephemeris time standard based on the Earth's orbital period and in practice on the
motion of the Moon. The invention in 1955 of the caesium atomic clock has led to the replacement
of older and purely astronomical time standards, for most practical purposes, by newer time
standards based wholly or partly on atomic time.

Various types of second and day are used as the basic time interval for most time scales. Other
intervals of time (minutes, hours, and years) are usually defined in terms of these two.