clock

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural clocks
often attributive
1
: a device other than a watch for indicating or measuring time commonly by means of hands moving on a dial
broadly : any periodic system by which time is measured
2
: a registering device usually with a dial
specifically : odometer
3
4
: a synchronizing device (as in a computer) that produces pulses at regular intervals
5

see also a race against the clock

clock

2 of 3

verb

clocked; clocking; clocks

transitive verb

1
a
: to time with a stopwatch or by an electric timing device
b
: to be timed at
2
: to register on a mechanical recording device
wind velocities were clocked at 80 miles per hour
3
: to hit hard
4
chiefly British : attain, realize
usually used with up
just clocked up a million … paperback salesPunch
5
a
: to travel (a distance) over time
clocks more than 15,000 miles a year on business
b
: put in sense 3
clocking long hours at the office

intransitive verb

1
: to have a specified duration or speed
used with in
the movie clocked in at just under 3 hours
broadly : to have a specified measure or value
used with in
the meal clocked in at about $15
2
: to register on a time sheet or time clock : punch
used with in, out, on, off
he clocked in late
clocker noun

clock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: an ornamental figure on the ankle or side of a stocking or sock
Phrases
against the clock
1
: with or within a time constraint
working against the clock
2
: with clocked speed rather than the order of finish as the criterion for placement
trial races against the clock
around the clock or less commonly round the clock
1
: continuously for 24 hours : day and night without cessation
2
: without relaxation and heedless of time
kill the clock or run out the clock
: to use up as much as possible of the playing time remaining in a game (such as football) while retaining possession of the ball or puck especially to protect a lead

Examples of clock in a Sentence

Verb He clocked 3 hours and 15 minutes in his last marathon. His fastest pitch was clocked at 91 miles per hour. The cop said she clocked me going 95 miles per hour. I was so angry I wanted to clock him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
An hour later, Eilish was still showing off her clock to anyone who asked. Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 In response, angry residents launched a sit-in at a clock tower; regime soldiers massacred them, leaving the asphalt streaked with blood. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Grande was the last star to sit at the show's beginning, plopping into her seat with her flowing pink Giambattista Valli couture dress just as the giant onstage clock showed four seconds until broadcast. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Fighting to end clock changes A 2022 CBS News/YouGov poll found that nearly 80% of Americans supported changing the current system. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024 Most countries around the world don't change their clocks twice a year. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 Participating states turn clocks forward an hour on the second Sunday in March during the spring. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 Have no fear, another option to lessen the impact of this change on your body’s circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock controlling our sleep and wake cycles) is to simply set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday, and go to sleep at your normal bedtime. Katia Hetter, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 So watch out if watching from abroad as some countries don’t change clocks and others do so on different dates. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
Only two weeks left, and the routine is unchanged: clocking in at 5 p.m., heading to the locker room, trading street clothes for work wear. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The longest Oscar broadcast ever was in 2002 and clocked in at 4 hours and 23 minutes, aka way too long. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 Bill Clinton gave the longest State of the Union speech when his January 27, 2000 edition clocked in at 1:28:49. James Powel, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Fortunately for hikers who are looking for a short trek, the climb to the top of the peak won’t take long, clocking in at 200 yards on a dirt trail. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 The exceptional warmth that first enveloped the planet last summer is continuing strong into 2024: Last month clocked in as the hottest January ever measured, and the hottest January on record for the oceans, too. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Sanchez’s first pitch on Saturday to Iglesias clocked in at just 88.7 mph. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 The company operated its first group jet expedition in 1995, and has since clocked over 300 private tours in 200 destinations. Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 In fact, many are ornately covered in Lambeth piping, or stretch to impressively long lengths (just look at this example that clocks in at four and half feet). Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English clok, from Middle Dutch clocke bell, clock, from Old French or Medieval Latin; Old French dialect (Picard) cloque bell, from Medieval Latin clocca, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish clocc bell

Noun (2)

perhaps from clock entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clock was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clock

Cite this Entry

“Clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clock. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clock

1 of 2 noun
1
: a device for measuring or telling the time and especially one not meant to be worn or carried about by a person
2
: a registering device with a dial that is attached to a machine to measure or record what it is doing
3
: a device (as in a computer) that sends out signals at regular spaces of time so that other events can happen in the correct order

clock

2 of 2 verb
1
: to time (as a person or a piece of work) by a timing device
2
: to show (as time or speed) on a recording device
he clocked in late
Etymology

Noun

Middle English clok "clock," from early Dutch clocke "bell, clock," from early French cloque "bell" or Latin clocca "bell"; of Celtic origin — related to cloak

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on clock

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