around-the-clock

[ uh-round-th uh-klok ]

/ əˈraʊnd ðəˈklɒk /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR around-the-clock ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

continuing without pause or interruption: an around-the-clock guard on the prisoner.

Also round-the-clock.

Origin of around-the-clock

First recorded in 1940–45

Words nearby around-the-clock

arose, around, around the bend, around the corner, around the world in eighty days, around-the-clock, arouse, arp, arpa, arpanet, arpeggiate

Definition for around the clock (2 of 2)

clock ¹

[ klok ]

/ klɒk /

noun

an instrument for measuring and recording time, especially by mechanical means, usually with hands or changing numbers to indicate the hour and minute: not designed to be worn or carried about.

time clock.

a meter or other device, as a speedometer or taximeter, for measuring and recording speed, distance covered, or other quantitative functioning.

biological clock.

(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Horologium.

Computers. the circuit in a digital computer that provides a common reference train of electronic pulses for all other circuits.

verb (used with object)

to time, test, or determine by means of a clock or watch: The racehorse was clocked at two minutes thirty seconds.

Slang. to strike sharply or heavily: Somebody clocked him on the face.

Verb Phrases

clock in, to begin work, especially by punching a time clock: She clocked in at 9 on the dot.

clock out, to end work, especially by punching a time clock: He clocked out early yesterday.

Origin of clock

1350–1400; Middle English clok(ke) < Middle Dutch clocke bell, clock; akin to Old English clucge, Old High German glocka (German Glocke), Old Irish clocc bell; cf. cloak

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (1 of 2)

clock ¹

/ (klɒk) /

noun

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 (def. 7)

any clocklike device for recording or measuring, such as a taximeter or pressure gauge

the downy head of a dandelion that has gone to seed

an electrical circuit that generates pulses at a predetermined rate

computing an electronic pulse generator that transmits streams of regular pulses to which various parts of the computer and its operations are synchronized

short for time clock

around the clock or round the clock all day and all night

the clock an informal word for speedometer, mileometer

British a slang word for face

against the clock

under pressure, as to meet a deadline
(in certain sports, such as show jumping) timed by a stop clockthe last round will be against the clock

put the clock back to regress

verb

(tr) British, Australian and NZ slang to strike, esp on the face or head

(tr) British slang to see or notice

(tr) to record time as with a stopwatch, esp in the calculation of speed

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, clock off, clock on, clock up

Derived forms of clock

clocker, noun clocklike, adjective

Word Origin for clock

C14: from Middle Dutch clocke clock, from Medieval Latin clocca bell, ultimately of Celtic origin

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (2 of 2)

clock ²

/ (klɒk) /

noun

an ornamental design either woven in or embroidered on the side of a stocking

Word Origin for clock

C16: from Middle Dutch clocke, from Medieval Latin clocca bell

Idioms and Phrases with around the clock

clock

In addition to the idioms beginning with clock

clock in
clock is ticking, the
clock up

also see:

against the clock
beat the clock
clean someone's clock
like clock-work
set back (the clock)
stop someone's clock
stop the clock

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

around-the-clock

adjective

Origin of around-the-clock

Words nearby around-the-clock

Definition for around the clock (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of clock

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of clock

Word Origin for clock

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for clock

Idioms and Phrases with around the clock

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

around-the-clock

adjective

Origin of around-the-clock

Words nearby around-the-clock

Definition for around the clock (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of clock

Words related to around the clock

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of clock

Word Origin for clock

British Dictionary definitions for around the clock (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for clock

Idioms and Phrases with around the clock