In Jainism, kāla means time.

But in a deeper sense, kāla is understood in two ways:

1. Practical time — the measure of change, sequence, and duration in worldly life.
2. Dravya kāla — time as one of the six substances (dravyas) in Jain philosophy.

In Jain philosophy:

• Kāla helps explain movement, change, birth, decay, and progression.
• It is not a creator or controller.
• It is the condition that allows events to happen in order.

Basic Jain view:

The six dravyas are:

• Jīva — soul
• Pudgala — matter
• Dharma — medium of motion
• Adharma — medium of rest
• Ākāśa — space
• Kāla — time

Simple meaning:

Kāla is the principle by which:

• past, present, and future are distinguished,
• change becomes possible,
• spiritual practice is understood in sequence.

If you want, I can also explain kāla in Jain cosmology or kāla as samay, avali, muhurta, and yuga in simple terms.