Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

24-hour clock

/ˌtwɛntiˈfɔɹˌaʊəɹ ˈklɔk/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.28 in modern English

Syllables: 24-hour -clock
IPA: /ˌtwɛntiˈfɔɹˌaʊəɹ ˈklɔk/

20

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A timekeeping convention in which the 24 hours of the day are treated as a single period rather than two sets of 12 hours, with the result that midnight is indicated as 00:00 (or sometimes 24:00), and the hours from 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. as 13:00 to 23:00.

Example Sentences

"Twenty-four hour clock time is gaining in favor."
"The American Society of Civil Engineers recently announced a meeting of the society to occur at their house in New York at 20.30 o'clock, thus springing the twenty-four hour clock system upon those who wished to attend, and causing some inquiries and explanations as to the time intended. Commodore Melville, who was to be present, was one of those who had to inquire and to be informed that 8.30 P. M. was intended."
"The sidereal clock of the astronomer does run to a regular motion; but our 24-hour clocks do not, as we shall see later."
"Time shall be stated in exactly four figures utilizing the twenty-four clock basis. […] Midnight is 0000, never 2400. The last hour of the twenty-four hour clock day begins at 2300. The last minute of the hour begins at 2359 and ends at 0000, which is the beginning of the first minute ending at 0001 of the first hour of the next day."
"Train and steamer services to and from the Continent, including the boat trains in England, have long had 24hr clock indications, mainly to conform with the practice of connecting Continental railways, for Irish services are exempt."
"Twenty-four-hour clock.—The use of the 24-hour clock eliminates the use of a.m. and p.m. Giving the time from midnight to 12.59 remains unchanged; the remaining customary afternoon times are increased by 12."

Etymology

From 24 + hour + clock.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌtwɛntiˈfɔɹˌaʊəɹ ˈklɔk/
British English: /ˌtwɛntiˈfɔːɹˌaʊə ˈklɒk/

Inflected Forms

24-hour clocks (plural) twenty-four hour clock (alternative) twenty-four-hour clock (alternative)

Phrases

twenty-four seven 24-hour day twenty-four hour day 24-hour flu twenty-four hours a day

Frequently Paired Words

24/7 twenty-four seven 24-hour day twenty-four hour day 24-hour flu twenty-four hours a day 12-hour clock twelve-hour clock

Synonyms

continental time military time

Rhymes With

rock stock block round rock v block lock shock clock drop lock doc knock digital clock

Questions

How do you pronounce 24-hour clock?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌtwɛntiˈfɔɹˌaʊəɹ ˈklɔk/.
What does 24-hour clock mean?: A timekeeping convention in which the 24 hours of the day are treated as a single period rather than two sets of 12 hours, with the result that midnight is indicated as 00:00 (or sometimes 24:00), and the hours from 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. as 13:00 to 23:00.
Where does 24-hour clock come from?: From 24 + hour + clock.

How to pronounce 24-hour clock

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