Compile-time refers to the period during which a program is being compiled and readied for use. There are a variety of synonyms that can be used to refer to this stage in the software development process, including "build-time," "pre-processing," "generation," and "assembly." These terms all describe the same basic concept: the process of turning human-readable code into executable machine language. The use of these synonyms can help to make technical discussions more accessible to non-experts, while also ensuring that all participants in the software development team are on the same page regarding the terminology and concepts that are being used.