Definition

1. Noun:
   • A clock used to record the hours that people work: A device, typically found in workplaces, that employees use to stamp or electronically record their arrival and departure times on a time card or timesheet.

Usage

• The primary function of a time clock is to track employee attendance and working hours for payroll purposes.
• It is a specific type of clock designed for business and administrative record-keeping.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Employees must punch the time clock when they arrive and leave.
  • The company installed a new digital time clock to automate attendance tracking.
  • Forgot to punch the time clock? You'll need to fill out a manual correction form.

Advanced Usage

• "to punch the time clock": To record one's time of arrival or departure using a time clock. This phrase often implies routine, hourly work.
  • He has been punching the time clock at the factory for twenty years.
• "time clock system": Refers to the overall method or technology used for tracking work hours.
  • The new time clock system integrates directly with our payroll software.

Variants and Related Words

• Time card (n): A card inserted into a mechanical time clock to record punch times.
  • She inserted her time card into the slot.
• Timesheet (n): A sheet for recording hours worked, which can be used independently of or alongside a time clock.
  • Please submit your timesheet by Friday.
• Clock in/out (phrasal verb): The action of recording one's start or end time.
  • What time did you clock in this morning?

Synonyms

• Time recorder: A more formal term for a time clock.
• Punch clock: A common synonym, especially for older mechanical models.

Related Phrases

• Against the clock: Rushing to finish before a deadline. (Note: This idiom uses "clock" but is not directly related to the device "time clock").
  • We're working against the clock to finish the project.

Noun

1. clock used to record the hours that people work