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clock1

Syllabification: (clock)
Pronunciation: /kläk/
Translate clock | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of clock

noun

  • a mechanical or electrical device for measuring time, indicating hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds, typically by hands on a round dial or by displayed figures.
  • (the clock) time taken as a factor in an activity, especially in competitive sports:they play against the clock her life is ruled by the clock
  • informal a measuring device resembling a clock for recording things other than time, such as a speedometer, taximeter, or odometer.
  • see time clock.

verb

[with object]
  • 1attain or register (a specified time, distance, or speed):Thomas has clocked up forty years service [no object]:the book clocks in at 989 pages
  • achieve (a victory):he clocked up his first win of the year
  • record as attaining a specified time or rate:the tower operators clocked a gust of 185 mph
  • 2 informal hit (someone), especially on the head:someone clocked him for no good reason

Phrases

around (or round) the clock

all day and all night:working around the clock

run out the clock

Sports deliberately use as much time as possible in order to preserve one’s own team’s advantage:facing a tie, he decided to run out the clock in the final moments

stop the clock

allow extra time by temporarily ceasing to count the time left before a deadline arrives:he agreed to stop the clock as negotiations continued

turn (or put) back the clock

return to the past or to a previous way of doing things.

watch the clock

(of an employee) be overly strict or zealous about not working more than one’s required hours.

Phrasal Verbs

clock in (or out)

(of an employee) punch in (or out).

Origin:

late Middle English: from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch klocke, based on medieval Latin clocca 'bell'

clock in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of clock in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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