clock

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkläk 

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

: time clock

4

: a synchronizing device (as in a computer) that produces pulses at regular intervals

5

: biological clock

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 sales

—Punch

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• chronometer
• timekeeper
• timepiece
• timer

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Examples of clock in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the clock reads 5:00 p.m.

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

Between the river and the nearby historic clock tower — a replica of Big Ben — is a beach with sand, parasols and room for 800 people. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

Anticipation hung in the air inside Paris’ La Défense Arena on Thursday night as a clock counted down to Taylor Swift‘s first European date of the Eras Tour. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 May 2024

Surrounding the top stone is a rotating 12-hour clock. —Megan Conway, New York Times, 9 May 2024

For travelers interested in the Musée d’Orsay clock room, booking will open on May 21. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024

Ben Simmons carried a Thom Browne briefcase affixed with a clock and Tyla—dresses as the sands of time—held an hourglass. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 May 2024

Considering the fashion world has embraced watch anklets and timepiece chokers, perhaps briefcase clocks and hourglass bags aren’t too far off. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 May 2024

San Jose spent the next 15 or so minutes continuing to control possession, creating a few other shots but more importantly burning clock until the final whistle blew. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024

Research interest in using these clocks has exploded. —Angus Chen, STAT, 2 May 2024

Verb

The ride itself feels long in the best way, clocking in at six minutes, more than twice as long as Peter Pan’s Flight, one of the most popular rides across Disney parks. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024

His set, usually 90 minutes, clocked in at nearly two-and-a-half hours when the lights came back on. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2024

Los Altos freshman Maren Byrne won the girls 200 IM, clocking in at 2:00.00. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 May 2024

Daniels' time on the witness stand — which clocked in at more than five hours — wrapped up early Thursday afternoon. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 May 2024

The spacious guest rooms — the smallest one clocking in at 376 square feet — are a rarity in this type of city hotel, and feature sleek contemporary design, sitting areas, custom artworks, and stunning marble bathrooms with soaking bathtubs and walk-in rain showers. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024

Currently, a shortage of inventory has driven up the cost of living in Maui with home prices clocking in at a whopping three times the national average, The Guardian reported. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 May 2024

And in addition to Un Verano Sin Ti, Bad Bunny clocked 502.1 million for nadie sabe lo que va a pasar manana and 378 million for El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo in their first frames. —Eric Frankenberg, Billboard, 2 May 2024

Perry Williams, a tall man with a gentle drawl, clocked in 36 years with the city’s water department. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing clock

• against the clock
• alarm clock
• a race against the clock
• around the clock
• atomic clock
• banjo clock
• beat the clock
• biological clock
• body clock
• clean one's clock
• clock off/out
• clock radio
• clock up
• clock-watcher
• cuckoo clock
• eat up/run out/kill the clock
• grandfather clock
• internal clock
• kill the clock
• longcase clock
• round the clock
• run out the clock
• shot clock
• the clock
• time clock
• turn back the clock
• watch the clock
• water clock

Kids Definition

clock

1 of 2 noun

ˈkläk 

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

winds clocked at 80 mph

3

: to hit hard

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

clock

noun

ˈkläk 

: biological clock