office hours

American  

plural noun

1. the hours during which a professional person or an office conducts regular business.

2. the hours a person spends working in an office.

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office hours British  

plural noun

1. the hours during which an office is open for business

2. the number of hours worked in an office

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Etymology

Origin of office hours

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Sequoia also offers firmwide AI office hours with the engineering, product and design teams to help drive more internal AI usage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 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

"Cyber professionals rarely work nine to five", he adds, "Even if they do, they remain on call because threat actors don't adhere to office hours."

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

I knew Father Amadi had office hours that morning at the chaplaincy, yet I still hoped it was him.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie