Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense clocks, present participle clocking, past tense, past participle clocked
1. countable noun
A clock is an instrument, for example in a room or on the outside of a building, that shows what time of day it is.
He was conscious of a clock ticking.
He also repairs clocks and watches.
The hands of the clock on the wall moved with a slight click.
...a digital clock.
2. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A time clock in a factory or office is a device that is used to record the hours that people work. Each worker puts a special card into the device when they arrive and leave, and the times are recorded on the card.
Government workers were made to punch time clocks morning, noon and night.
3. countable noun [usually singular]
In a car, theclock is the instrument that shows the speed of the car or the distance it has travelled.
[mainly British]
The car had 160,000 miles on the clock.
At 240 mph the needle went off the clock.
4. verb
To clock a particular time or speed in a race means to reach that time or speed.
Elliott clocked the fastest time this year for the 800 metres. [VERB noun]
The yacht swayed in 40-knot winds, clocking speeds of 17 knots at times. [VERB noun]
5. verb [usually passive]
If something or someone is clockedat a particular time or speed, their time or speed is measured at that level.
He has been clocked at 11 seconds for 100 metres. [beV-ed + at]
170-mile-an-hour winds were clocked on a mountaintop in North Carolina. [beVERB-ed]
6. verb
If you clock something, you notice or see it.
[British, informal]
I walked past that gate hundreds of times before I clocked it. [VERB noun]
7. See also alarm clock, biological clock, body clock, cuckoo clock, grandfather clock, o'clock
8.
See against the clock
9.
See to beat the clock
10.
See round the clock/around the clock
11.
See turn the clock back/put the clock back
12.
See watch the clock
Phrasal verbs:
See clock in
See clock in at
See clock off
See clock on
See clock out
See clock up
clock in British English1
(klɒk)
noun
1.
a timepiece, usually free-standing, hanging, or built into a tower, having mechanically or electrically driven pointers that move constantly over a dial showing the numbers of the hours
Compare digital clock, watch (sense 7)
2.
any clocklike device for recording or measuring, such as a taximeter or pressure gauge
3.
the downy head of a dandelion that has gone to seed
4.
an electrical circuit that generates pulses at a predetermined rate
5. computing
an electronic pulse generator that transmits streams of regular pulses to which various parts of the computer and its operations are synchronized
6. short for time clock
7. around the clock
8. the clock
9. British a slang word for face
10. against the clock
11. put the clock back
verb
12. (transitive) British, Australian and New Zealand slang
to strike, esp on the face or head
13. (transitive) British slang
to see or notice
14. (transitive)
to record (time) as with a stopwatch, esp in the calculation of speed
15. electronics
to feed a clock pulse to (a digital device) in order to cause it to switch to a new state
See also atomic clock, biological clock
Derived forms
clocker (ˈclocker)
noun
clocklike (ˈclockˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Middle Dutch clocke clock, from Medieval Latin clocca bell, ultimately of Celtic origin
clock in British English2
(klɒk)
noun
an ornamental design either woven in or embroidered on the side of a stocking
Word origin
C16: from Middle Dutch clocke, from Medieval Latin clocca bell
clock in American English1
(klɑk)
noun
1.
a device used for measuring and indicating time, usually by means of pointers movingover a dial: clocks, unlike watches, are not meant to be worn or carried about
2. US
time clock
3.
a measuring or recording device suggestive of a clock, as a taximeter
verb transitive
4.
to measure the speed or record the time of (a race, runner, motorist, etc.) with a stopwatch or other timing device
5.
to measure (work done, distance covered, etc.) with a registering device
Idioms:
around the clock
Word origin
ME clokke, orig., clock with bells < ML clocca, bell < Celt, as in OIr cloc (> OE clugge, OHG glocka), bell < ? IE base *kel-, to cry out, sound > clamor
clock in American English2
(klɑk)
noun
a woven or embroidered ornament on the side of a sock or stocking, going up from the ankle
Derived forms
clocked
adjective
Word origin
< ? clock1, because of orig. bell shape
clock in Electrical Engineering
(klɒk)
Word forms: (regular plural) clocks
noun
(Electrical engineering: Circuits, Computing and control)
A clock is the basic timing signal in a digital system.
It is often assumed that a central processing unit with a higher clock speed will perform better, but although it is important, many other factors influencethe performance of computers.
In order to conduct all of its designed operations, the CPU also has a clock which forms the basis for synchronizing the processor's actions with the remainderof the computer.
A clock is the basic timing signal in a digital system.
More idioms containing
clock
wish you could turn back the clock
round the clock
Examples of 'clock' in a sentence
clock
Our goal was to beat the company clock that timed the movement of items through the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That race against the clock should be extremely tight given the number of specialists in the field.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Workers toiled round the clock to fill it and fix power lines.
The Sun (2016)
This weekend the clocks go back and we will be plunged again into inky afternoons.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is simply no good reason for the clocks to go back this weekend.
The Sun (2016)
There is no turning back the clock on either of those fronts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some might also ask you to draw a clock face if you tell them you keep leaving your phone in the fridge.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Any band activity would supposedly disturb his equilibrium so he is forbidden to leave the house and is watched round the clock.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The clocks go back today: welcome to winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But they can't turn back the clocks.
The Sun (2017)
Who are these splinter groups seemingly intent on turning back the clock?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Security guards patrol the empty building around the clock.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He used to keep me up round the clock with feed times.
The Sun (2007)
That clock on your computer screen is ticking.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Most diplomats are constantly trying to beat the clock to the next official engagement.
Geraghty, Tony The Bullet Catchers (1989)
Our investigators asked four companies to clock a car so it could be sold for moremoney.
The Sun (2016)
The time clock runs out in the fourth quarter of the game.
Christianity Today (2000)
It made sense with factory workers clocking on and off.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Turn the clock face to the wall.
Mayes, Kathleen Beat Jet Lag - arrive alert and stay alert (1991)
It comes with a digital display clock for the bedside table.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He looked like a real stayer that day and clocked a good time despite the testing conditions.
The Sun (2007)
Those given the supplement saw their body clocks speed up about eight minutes faster.
The Sun (2015)
To turn the clock back would be no panacea.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He needs to provide reassurance round the clock.
The Sun (2016)
Most users already have a clock on their computer screen.
The Sun (2013)
Once a car is clocked it can be impossible to detect the changes without highly specialised equipment.
The Sun (2016)
On the other hand, the clocks caused problems with our cook when boiling eggs.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Instead of dreading this time, turn it into a game of beat the clock.
The Sun (2015)
In the world of the pit depicted here, such attributes are as dandelion clocks in the wind.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So one possibility is that there are genetically determined clocks which cause the nervous system to change how it learns from year to year.
Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)
The trackers contained an electronic clock, calendar and light meter to pinpoint the birds' location.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The large crystalline clock is more loosely textured than a dandelion clock, but it can hold firm against the wind as long as is necessary.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The fine red-brick Victorian building complete with clock tower used to be the administrative building of the local county asylum.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
clock
British English: clock /klɒk/ NOUN
A clock is an instrument, for example in a room or on the outside of a building, that shows you what the time is.
He could hear a clock ticking.
American English: clock
Arabic: سَاعَة حائِط
Brazilian Portuguese: relógio
Chinese: 时钟
Croatian: sat
Czech: hodiny
Danish: ur
Dutch: klok
European Spanish: reloj
Finnish: kello
French: horloge
German: Uhr
Greek: ρολόι
Italian: orologio
Japanese: 時計
Korean: 시계
Norwegian: klokke
Polish: zegar
European Portuguese: relógio
Romanian: ceas
Russian: часы
Latin American Spanish: reloj de pared
Swedish: klocka
Thai: นาฬิกา
Turkish: saat genelde
Ukrainian: годинник
Vietnamese: đồng hồ
British English: clock VERB
To clock a particular time or speed in a race means to reach that time or speed.
He clocked the fastest time this year.
American English: clock
Brazilian Portuguese: marcar
Chinese: 测…的速度
European Spanish: hacer
French: obtenir
German: fahren {or} laufen
Italian: faretempo
Japanese: 記録を出す
Korean: ~의 기록을 내다
European Portuguese: medir o tempo
Latin American Spanish: hacer
All related terms of 'clock'
o'clock
You use o'clock after numbers from one to twelve to say what time it is. For example , if you say that it is 9 o'clock, you mean that it is nine hours after midnight or nine hours after midday .
clock in
When you clock in at work, you arrive there or put a special card into a device to show what time you arrived.
clock off
When you clock off at work, you leave work or put a special card into a device to show what time you left.
clock on
When workers clock on at a factory or office, they put a special card into a device to show what time they arrived.
clock out
Clock out means the same as → clock off .
clock up
If you clock up a large number or total of things, you reach that number or total.
the clock
→ an informal word for speedometer , mileometer
alarm clock
An alarm clock is a clock that you can set to make a noise so that it wakes you up at a particular time.
body clock
Your body clock is the internal biological mechanism which causes your body to automatically behave in particular ways at particular times of the day.
clock card
a card used by employees to register their time of arrival at, and time of departure from, their workplace
clock face
the dial of an analogue clock , marked with divisions representing units of time
clock golf
a putting game played on a circular area on a lawn
clock-radio
a device combining the functions of a radio and alarm clock which can be used to play the radio at a set time
clock tower
A clock tower is a tall, narrow building with a clock at the top.
shot clock
a timing device that indicates the number of seconds a team has in which to attempt a shot or else lose possession of the ball
time clock
a clock which records, by punching or stamping cards inserted into it, the time of arrival or departure of people, such as employees in a factory
water clock
any of various devices for measuring time that use the escape of water as the motive force
ammonia clock
an atomic clock based on the frequency of inversion of the ammonia molecule
atomic clock
an extremely accurate clock in which an electrical oscillator is controlled by the natural vibrations of an atomic or molecular system such as caesium or ammonia
caesium clock
a type of atomic clock that uses the frequency of radiation absorbed in changing the spin of electrons in caesium atoms
clock-watcher
an employee who checks the time in anticipation of a break or of the end of the working day
cuckoo clock
A cuckoo clock is a clock with a door from which a toy cuckoo comes out and makes noises like a cuckoo every hour or half hour.
digital clock
a clock in which the hours , minutes , and sometimes seconds are indicated by digits , rather than by hands on a dial
quartz clock
a clock or watch that is operated by the vibrations of a quartz crystal controlled by a microcircuit
analogue clock
a clock in which the hours , minutes , and sometimes seconds are indicated by hands on a dial
carriage clock
a portable clock , usually in a rectangular case with a handle on the top, of a type originally used by travellers
clock in at
If something such as a CD or film clocks in at a particular amount of time, it is that amount of time long.
clock repairer
a person who mends clocks , watches , etc
clock-watching
the act of checking the time in anticipation of a break or the end of the working day
doomsday clock
an image of a clockface representing the time remaining before the onset of a global catastrophe in terms of a number of minutes before midnight
four-o'clock
a tropical American nyctaginaceous plant, Mirabilis jalapa , cultivated for its tubular yellow, red, or white flowers that open in late afternoon
internal clock
See biological clock
longcase clock
grandfather clock
nine o'clock
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and eight
one o'clock
one hour after noon or midnight
settler's clock
a large arboreal Australian kingfisher , Dacelo novaeguineae (or gigas ), with a cackling cry
six o'clock
→ another name for six (sense 4 )
speaking clock
a telephone service that gives a precise verbal statement of the correct time
sunburst clock
a clock with the pattern or design of a sun
ten o'clock
→ another name for ten (sense 4 )
townhall clock
a small N temperate plant, Adoxa moschatellina, with greenish-white musk-scented flowers on top of the stem, arranged as four pointing sideways at right angles to each other and one facing upwards : family Adoxaceae
two o'clock
→ another name for two (sense 5 ) → See also eight
astronomical clock
a complex clock showing astronomical phenomena , such as the phases of the moon
biological clock
Your biological clock is your body's way of registering time. It does not rely on events such as day or night , but on factors such as your habits , your age , and chemical changes taking place in your body.
eight o'clock
eight hours after noon or midnight
eleven o'clock
the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and one
grandfather clock
A grandfather clock is an old-fashioned type of clock in a tall wooden case which stands upright on the floor .
grandmother clock
a longcase clock with a pendulum , about two thirds the size of a grandfather clock
seven o'clock
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one and is a prime number
three o'clock
→ another name for three (sense 5 )
Chinese translation of 'clock'
clock
(klɔk)
n(c)
钟(鐘) (zhōng) (个(個), gè)
around the clock[work, guard]日夜不停 (rìyè bùtíng)
to turn or put the clock back (fig) 回到过(過)去 (huí dào guòqù)
to work against the clock争(爭)分夺(奪)秒地工作 (zhēng fēn duó miǎo de gōngzuò)
30,000 miles on the clock (Brit, Aut) 里程计(計)上记(記)有3万(萬)英里行程 (lǐchéngjì shang jì yǒu sān wàn yīnglǐ xíngchéng)
All related terms of 'clock'
clock in
( for work ) 打卡上班 dǎkǎ shàngbān
clock on
= clock in
clock up
( hours, miles ) 达(達)到 dádào
clock off
( from work ) 打卡下班 dǎkǎ xiàbān
clock out
= clock off
alarm clock
闹(鬧)钟(鐘) nàozhōng [ 个(個) gè ]
round the clock
( inf ) 连(連)续(續)24小时(時) liánxù èrshísì xiǎoshí
around the clock
( work, guard ) 日夜不停 rìyè bùtíng
the clock struck nine
钟(鐘)敲了9点(點) zhōng qiāole jiǔ diǎn
30,000 miles on the clock
( Brit : Aut ) 里程计(計)上记(記)有3万(萬)英里行程 lǐchéngjì shang jì yǒu sān wàn yīnglǐ xíngchéng