clockwork
noun
clock·work
ˈkläk-ˌwərk 
1
: the inner workings of something
2
: the machinery (such as springs and a train of gears) that run a clock
also
: a similar mechanism running a mechanical device (such as a toy)
3
: the precision, regularity, or absence of variation associated with a clock or clockwork
a clockwork operation
—used in the phrase like clockwork to describe something that happens or works in a regular and exact wayThis type of star has a wonderful property: Its brightness waxes and wanes like clockwork…—
Ron Cowen
Ron CowenIf everything went like clockwork, it would have taken a year to get items in stores.—Brooks Barnes
Brooks BarnesExamples of clockwork in a Sentence
the clockwork inside a mechanical toy soldier
Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps also like clockwork, the atmosphere and energy began to shift right around 5 p.m., as the uptown workweek unofficially ended.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2024
The exec can’t comment on the pending fate of Paramount, and like clockwork, news that Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management have made a bid to take Paramount private with an all-cash buyout offer of $26 billion came just minutes before Cheeks met with reporters.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 May 2024
Like clockwork, the plates rotate while a lid closes onto the dollop of batter toflatten it.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 2 May 2024
Sure enough, like clockwork, 12 hours later, the symptoms manifested.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Like clockwork, our first singing male arrived on the first day of spring to fill the morning air with his enthusiastic and hopeful song.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Twice a year, every year, the ritual returns as literal clockwork: the start and end of daylight saving time.
—Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
The Saros Cycle This is the Saros Cycle, a regular pattern of repeating moon shadows that fall on Earth’s surface like clockwork.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Then, like clockwork, the birds opened their animatronic beaks and spoke.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2024
The exec can’t comment on the pending fate of Paramount, and like clockwork, news that Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management have made a bid to take Paramount private with an all-cash buyout offer of $26 billion came just minutes before Cheeks met with reporters.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 May 2024
Like clockwork, the plates rotate while a lid closes onto the dollop of batter toflatten it.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 2 May 2024
Sure enough, like clockwork, 12 hours later, the symptoms manifested.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Like clockwork, our first singing male arrived on the first day of spring to fill the morning air with his enthusiastic and hopeful song.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Twice a year, every year, the ritual returns as literal clockwork: the start and end of daylight saving time.
—Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
The Saros Cycle This is the Saros Cycle, a regular pattern of repeating moon shadows that fall on Earth’s surface like clockwork.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Then, like clockwork, the birds opened their animatronic beaks and spoke.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clockwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clockwork
Cite this Entry
“Clockwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clockwork. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clockwork
noun
clock·work
ˈkläk-ˌwərk
: machinery (as in a mechanical toy) containing a set of small cogwheels
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