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
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
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Control the Lights Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate your body's internal circadian clock.
—Dina Roth Port, Parents, 28 Oct. 2025
Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Both kids were clocking everything, and absorbing a few lessons that would help and hinder them down the line.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
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
That summer, images of Flavor Flav wearing patriotic versions of his iconic clock necklace and decked out in Team USA gear went viral online.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Control the Lights Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate your body's internal circadian clock.
—Dina Roth Port, Parents, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Melissa’s winds were consistently clocking at 185 mph.
—Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Both kids were clocking everything, and absorbing a few lessons that would help and hinder them down the line.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clock
Cite this Entry
“Clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clock. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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