In plain English
If someone stops using a signed-in account for a while, the signed-in period can end by itself. That ending happens because there has been no activity for a preset amount of time.
In context
In security notices or help, "session timeout" names the inactivity-based condition where a user's session ends automatically after the set time has passed without activity.
- Situation
- Checking sessions, devices, login history, and unusual access activity
- What it communicates
- names an inactivity-based session-ending condition in security notices or help
Meaning limits
The term alone does not say how long the inactive period is, only that a preset limit exists.
Examples
“While he ate lunch without touching the app, a session timeout signed him out.”
“If a session timeout occurs, sign in again to continue.”