Clock Meaning
Clock Definition & Usage
A device used to measure and indicate time, typically with hands that point to hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds.
Examples
- "I need to buy a new clock for the kitchen."
- "The clock on the wall struck midnight."
- "He glanced at the clock, realizing he was late for the meeting."
- "The digital clock displayed the time in large, clear numbers."
- "She set her alarm clock to wake her up at 6:30 AM."
To track or measure the time taken by something, or to time an event.
Examples
- "The coach clocked the runners during their practice laps."
- "He clocked in at 9 AM and left work at 5 PM."
- "The chef clocked the cooking time to ensure the dish was perfect."
- "She clocked the time it took to finish the puzzle."
- "We need to clock the speed of the car for the race."
A symbolic representation of time or the passage of time, often used to express urgency, deadlines, or moments of change.
Examples
- "The clock is ticking, and we need to make a decision soon."
- "She always feels the pressure of the clock when the deadline is near."
- "At midnight, the clock will mark the beginning of a new year."
- "They were racing against the clock to finish the project."
- "In the movie, the clock on the wall symbolized the inevitable passage of time."
Cultural Context
Clocks have been integral to human life for centuries, with early versions appearing in ancient civilizations. The mechanical clock, developed during the Middle Ages, revolutionized timekeeping and became an essential part of daily life. Today, clocks are found everywhere, from personal watches to large public installations.
Racing Against the Clock
Story
Racing Against the Clock
It was the day of the big project presentation, and the clock on the wall seemed to mock Lily as she rushed to finish the final touches. Her desk was cluttered with papers, her coffee cup long empty, and yet the hours slipped away unnoticed. The clock ticked loudly in the quiet office, its hands inching closer to the deadline with every passing second. Lily had always been a perfectionist, and today, of all days, she needed everything to be flawless. But the clock seemed to have a life of its own, pressuring her every time she glanced up. She had just five minutes left to review her slides, and her heart raced. The clock on the wall was more than just a timepiece—it was a constant reminder that the pressure was building. It was a race against time. As the final minute approached, Lily glanced at the clock once more. She couldn’t afford to miss any detail, but the ticking sound of the clock was deafening. She had to finish. When the clock struck twelve, it would signal the start of her presentation, and she wasn’t ready to be unprepared. “Just a few more seconds,” she whispered to herself, clocking the final changes into the presentation, right as the digital clock on her laptop displayed the time: 11:59. She hit 'send' and sighed with relief just as the clock ticked over to noon. The project was in the hands of her boss now. As the minutes passed, she realized that the clock was more than just a reminder of deadlines; it had also been a motivator. Without the ticking, perhaps she wouldn't have worked with such urgency. But now, as the clock showed noon, Lily could finally breathe. The clock had played its part—her race against time had ended, and she had made it.
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