clock

"Clock" is a familiar word with more uses than you might expect! Most people know it as the device that tells time, but it also works as a verb and has a few interesting figurative uses. Here are the most common and useful senses.

A clock is a device that shows you what time it is. It can hang on a wall, sit on a desk, or be built into your phone or oven. Think of it as the thing you look at when you want to know if you are late!

everyday language · Modern, widely used

The clock on the wall showed it was already midnight.

She set her alarm clock for 6 a.m. so she wouldn't miss her flight.

The old church clock could be heard all across the town.

sports, law enforcement, everyday language · Modern, widely used

everyday language (British English) · Modern, informal

Did you clock the sign on the door? It says the shop is closed.

4nounfigurativethe clock as a symbol of time passing

People often use 'the clock' figuratively to talk about time running out or pressure building up. It is not about a physical device — it is about the feeling that time is limited.

everyday language, business · Modern, widely used · figurative

The team was racing against the clock to finish the project before the deadline.