time signal

American  

noun

1. a signal sent electrically or by radio to indicate a precise moment of time as a means of checking or regulating timepieces.

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time signal British  

noun

1. an announcement of the correct time, esp on radio or television

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Etymology

Origin of time signal

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

There is no constant rhythm or background beat; the time signal is conjured as needed.

From New York Times

When it’s dark, we produce melatonin, which acts as a time signal to the body, telling it we should be sleepy.

From The Guardian

Depending on where you are in the United States, those frequencies will bring you to WWV and WWVH, two extremely accurate time signal stations.

From Washington Post

He did not own a working clock; generally he depended on the TV for time signals, but today was Interspace Horizons Day, evidently.

From Literature

They do this using time signals from GPS satellites’ ultra-precise atomic clocks.

From Nature