punctuality

American  

[puhngk-choo-al-i-tee] / ˌpʌŋk tʃuˈæl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the quality or state of being punctual.

2. strict observance in keeping engagements; promptness.

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Other Word Forms

• unpunctuality noun

Etymology

Origin of punctuality

First recorded in 1610–20; punctual + -ity

Example Sentences

But Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder in September pushed back a punctuality target of 70 percent for long-distance trains to 2029 from 2026.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Almost 40 percent of long-distance services arrived late last year -- not including trains that were cancelled, which are not counted in punctuality statistics.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

January is usually a good month for punctuality owing to a relative lack of maintenance and building work on the tracks.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Concerns over discipline and professionalism led the club to assign private chefs to him, while late nights because of gaming affected his training punctuality, making him the club's most-fined player in recent years.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

Furthermore, I displayed, or usually displayed, all those traits deemed essential to job readiness: punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, obedience.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich