hour

noun

UK /ˈaʊə(r)/

Word Forms

singular	hour
plural	hours

1
countable a period of time that consists of 60 minutes. 30 minutes is usually called half an hour, 15 minutes can be called a quarter of an hour, and 45 minutes can be called three-quarters of an hour
every hour:
She checked on the children every hour.
an hour ago:
He left about an hour ago.
an hour of something:
After an hour of arguing, he agreed.
an hour’s sleep/exercise/practice etc:
Why don’t you get an hour’s sleep?
for an hour:
I’ve been waiting for over an hour.
take an hour to do something:
This dish takes about an hour to cook.
it takes an hour to do something:
It takes nearly an hour to get there by bus.
in an hour/an hour’s time:
I can be there in an hour.
Synonyms and related words
Units for measuring time
half-hour
hour
hr
1. 1a
  used when you are talking about how much time you need to get somewhere
  an hour along/past something:
  An hour along the beach road are some shops.
  an hour away (from something):
  Brighton is only an hour away from here.
  Synonyms and related words
  General periods of time
  a clear run
  a page in something’s history
  block
2

hours
plural a long time
I’m hungry and it’s hours until dinner.
for hours (on end):
I lay awake for hours thinking about John.
Synonyms and related words
Long periods of time
eternity
light years
ages
3

hours
plural the time during which you do something such as work or study
My job is very flexible – I can fit my hours around my children.
long hours:
She’s putting in long hours at the library.
school/working hours:
courses that take place outside school hours
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
4
countable a particular time in the day or night
You can call me at any hour of the day or night.
What are you doing out of bed at this hour (=so early or late)?
the hours of daylight/darkness:
They usually hunt during the hours of darkness.
at all hours:
You get cars coming down here at all hours.
Synonyms and related words
Times of the day
afternoon
arvo
bedtime
5
singular a particular point in history or in someone’s life or career
someone’s/something’s finest hour:
His finest hour came in 1982 when his film Gandhi won eight Oscars.
someone’s/something’s darkest hour (=worst time):
We have lived through our country’s darkest hour.
in someone’s hour of need (=at a time when they really need help):
No one had helped him in his hour of need.
Synonyms and related words
General periods of time
a clear run
a page in something’s history
block
6

the hour
the time that is exactly one o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock etc
on the hour:
Trains for Edinburgh leave every hour on the hour.
past the hour:
The bus stops here at six minutes past the hour.
Synonyms and related words
Telling the time by a clock
0900/1300 etc hours
about
advanced

phrases

0900/1300 etc hours

after hours

all the hours (God sends)

an/per hour

by the hour

hour after/upon hour

keep regular/late etc hours

of the hour

out of hours

strike the hour

until/till all hours

within the hour

hour ​‌‌‌

hours

hours

the hour

hour ​‌‌‌

hours

hours

the hour

hour

hour