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clockwise

American  
[klok-wahyz] / ˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

  1. in the direction of the rotation of the hands of a clock as viewed from the front or above; circularly to the right from a point taken as the top.

adjective

  1. directed clockwise.

    a clockwise movement.
clockwise British  
/ ˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

  1. in the direction that the hands of a clock rotate; from top to bottom towards the right when seen from the front

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of clockwise

First recorded in 1885–90; clock 1 + -wise

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When a small portion of GldJ is removed, the motor reverses its rotation from counterclockwise to clockwise.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

The typical group rotation pattern occurs in a clockwise fashion.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 24, 2025

On Day 1, you play it clockwise; on Day 2, counterclockwise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

The clockwise section was reopened at about 14:00, but it was not reopened anti-clockwise until 06:00.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

The roof was made of black thundering clouds that swirled in a clockwise fashion.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.