the clock

noun

1
: a clock that is used in sports and that shows how much time remains for a particular part of a game
They were winning by 2 points with 10 seconds (left) on the clock.
They stopped the (game) clock with eight seconds remaining.
2
: a special clock that is used to record the times when an employee starts and stops working : time clock
I punched the clock at 8:45 and started working right away.
3
chiefly British : a device that shows how far a vehicle has traveled
a car with 100,000 miles on the clock

Examples of the 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.
Imagine a clock: If the hour hand starts at 10 and four hours pass, the clock will point to 2. Joseph Howlett, Wired News, 27 July 2025 With the clock ticking toward insolvency, advocates say the window for less painful reforms is closing. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025 There’s no urgency yet for Getz to unload, but the clock is ticking for both executives, adding one more thing to watch at this weekend’s City Series. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025 This is the last full week to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and the clock is ticking! Toni Sutton, People.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for the clock

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Cite this Entry

“The clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20clock. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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