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
clocked; clocking; clocks
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
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
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
: an ornamental figure on the ankle or side of a stocking or sock
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb
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
Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Remove clocks from view to avoid watching the time pass.
—Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Galloway notes that Chapman University’s career center has clocked a dip of 30 percent in entry-level gigs over the past year.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clock 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Carousel of Dreams — wherein a massive clock, with Zodiac symbols in place of numbers, was attached to the store’s façade.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Remove clocks from view to avoid watching the time pass.
—Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Examine the clues, discard the red herrings, ignore the obvious, and clock the suspicious behavior of that seemingly benign neighbor.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Galloway notes that Chapman University’s career center has clocked a dip of 30 percent in entry-level gigs over the past year.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clock
Dictionary Entries Near clock
Cite this Entry
“Clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clock. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clock
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: 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
nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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