Definition

Noun 1. A plural form of 'clock': The word "clocks" most commonly refers to more than one timepiece used for measuring and indicating time. 2. A common name for a plant: In botany, "clocks" is a common name for the plant Erodium cicutarium, also known as redstem filaree or storksbill, characterized by its fern-like leaves and fruit that resembles a clock hand.

Usage Examples

• As a timepiece:
  • All the clocks in the house need new batteries.
  • The tower has four large clocks, one on each side.
• As a plant:
  • The field was covered in small pink flowers of clocks.
  • Farmers sometimes consider clocks a weed, but it can be used for forage.

Advanced Usage

• "To work against the clock": To work very fast to finish something before a deadline.
  • The scientists were working against the clocks to find a solution.
• "To turn/turn back the clock": To return to a situation as it was in the past.
  • The retro decor really turns back the clocks to the 1950s.

Variants and Related Words

• Clock (n, singular): A single timepiece. (e.g., )
• Clock (v): To record a time or speed. (e.g., )
• Clockwise (adj/adv): Moving in the direction of the hands of a clock.
• O'clock (adv): Used to specify the hour when telling time. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• For timepieces: Timekeepers, chronometers, timepieces.
• For the plant: Redstem filaree, storksbill, pinweed ().

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Clock in/on: To record the time of one's arrival at work.
  • Employees must clock in by 9 a.m.
• Clock out/off: To record the time of one's departure from work.
  • She clocked out at 5:30 p.m.
• Clock up: To reach a particular number or amount, often over time.
  • The veteran pilot has clocked up thousands of flying hours.

Related Idioms

• Around the clock / 24-7: All day and all night without stopping.
  • The team worked around the clock to finish the project.
• Run out the clock: To use up the remaining time deliberately, often in sports or to delay a decision.
  • The leading team just passed the ball to run out the clock.
• Watch the clock: To keep looking at the time, usually because one is eager to finish.
  • He spent the last hour of work watching the clock.

Noun

1. European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage