internal clock

noun

1
: a system in the body that controls when a person needs to sleep, eat, etc.
The long trip upset my internal clock and I had a hard time getting to sleep.
2
: a clock or timing device that is inside a computer

Examples of internal clock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is a sophisticated cyberattack where hackers manipulate a system's internal clock to sneak past security defenses. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 When an adolescent goes through puberty, their internal clock changes so that their sleep schedule shifts to later hours. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2025 How Melatonin Affects Sleep Melatonin helps regulate your circadian rhythm system, the body's internal clock that influences your wakefulness throughout the day. Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 10 Mar. 2025 These lamps simulate sunlight, helping to regulate your body’s internal clock and boosting mood and energy levels, even regulating sleep and appetite. Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for internal clock

Cite this Entry

“Internal clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internal%20clock. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!