o'clock

American  

[uh-klok] / əˈklɒk /

adverb

1. of, by, or according to the clock (used in specifying the hour of the day).

   It is now 4 o'clock.

2. according to a method for indicating relative position whereby a plane in space is considered to be numbered as a clock's face, with 12 o'clock considered as directly ahead in horizontal position or straight up in vertical position.

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o'clock British  

/ əˈklɒk /

adverb

1. used after a number from one to twelve to indicate the hour of the day or night

2. used after a number to indicate direction or position relative to the observer, twelve o'clock being directly ahead or overhead and other positions being obtained by comparisons with a clock face

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Etymology

Origin of o'clock

First recorded in 1710–20; from o', a reduced form of of; see o' + clock ¹ ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

o'clock

I think we release them at 5 o’clock, and that’s great information.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

It is six o'clock in the morning and the BBC has been invited to a police briefing involving undercover officers in Merthyr Tydfil.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

It was just after 5 o’clock in the morning on a dreary day, and fortunately, no ships were nearby.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

Usually on Sundays, the Dodgers play at 1 o’clock, but if it’s a nationally broadcast game sometimes it’ll be on at 4 o’clock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

It was eleven o’clock at night, and the lights on the Eiffel Tower twinkled as they did at the beginning of every hour.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

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