office hours
Americanplural noun
-
the hours during which a professional person or an office conducts regular business.
-
the hours a person spends working in an office.
plural noun
-
the hours during which an office is open for business
-
the number of hours worked in an office
Etymology
Origin of office hours
First recorded in 1795–1805
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.
Longer-term assignments should be subjected to thesis-style “defenses” in class or faculty office hours to ensure student originality and deep knowledge of the work.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
When there was an issue, I scheduled seminars, makeup sessions and phone office hours at different times to supplement the meetings and assignments.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
The "Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance" forum on Tuesday was held during office hours and drew many elderly people.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025
Last year, our employer made us sign new contracts with revised office hours, moving to the new four-day-in-office policy.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2025
Mom hadn’t made an appointment with Dr. Mertz but she timed our arrival so we would show up just at the end of his office hours.
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
