o'clock

adverb

o'·​clock ə-ˈkläk 

ō-

1

: according to the clock

the time is three o'clock

2

—used for indicating position or direction as if on a clock dial that is oriented vertically or horizontally

an airplane approaching at six o'clock

Examples of o'clock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Twelve o'clock high: WWII-era B-17 coming to Indy for flights, tours next month The Indianapolis-to-Phoenix flight is one of 28 new routes Allegiant announced this week nationwide. —Fox59, Indianapolis Star, 20 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

contraction of of the clock

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing o'clock

• five-o'clock shadow
• four-o'clock

Kids Definition

o'clock

adverb

o'·​clock ə-ˈkläk 

1

: according to the clock

the time is three o'clock

2

—used for indicating position or direction as if on a clock dial

an airplane approaching at eleven o'clock