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

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

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

The famed German punctuality and efficiency was there right from the off, as he walked up to the top table in the press conference room at exactly 15:30, as advertised.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

This convinced us that something great was to happen, and threw me into an unusual flutter when I repaired to my guardian’s office, a model of punctuality.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens