alarm clock

American  

noun

1. a clock with a bell or buzzer that can be set to sound at a particular time, as to awaken someone.

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alarm clock British  

noun

1. a clock with a mechanism that sounds at a set time: used esp for waking a person up

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Etymology

Origin of alarm clock

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

The 35-year-old in Germantown, Md., wanted a more aggressive alarm clock after sleeping through an important meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

The metal ring adds minimal weight when attached and allows the phone to stand in portrait or landscape modes—perfect for reading, watching videos, and propping up the phone as a bedside alarm clock.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

"The alarm clock generation is now being replaced by an anxiety generation," Anderson told a press conference, adding that people should be going to work instead of "staying at home all day".

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

Documents submitted to court during Zou's trial show he searched online for "hidden camera" and "electric alarm clock camera" on the same day and made purchases on eBay of surveillance equipment.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

I awake to the sound of my alarm clock, blaring rhythmically, and it seems as loud as an air siren, shouting at me with such ferocity that it sort of hurts my feelings.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan

Related Words

• clock radio