First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
hour
noun \ˈau̇(-ə)r\
: one of the 24 equal parts of a day : 60 minutes
: the time shown on a clock or watch
: a particular time during the day
Full Definition of HOUR
1
: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion; especially : canonical hour
2
: the 24th part of a day : 60 minutes
3
a : the time of day reckoned in two 12-hour periods b plural : the time reckoned in one 24-hour period from midnight to midnight using a 4-digit number of which the first two digits indicate the hour and the last two digits indicate the minute <in the military 4:30 p.m. is called 1630 hours>
4
a : a customary or particular time <lunch hour> <in our hour of need>; also : moment 1b <hero of the hour> b plural : time of going to bed <keeps late hours>; also : time of working <banker's hours>
5
: an angular unit of right ascension equal to 15 degrees measured along the celestial equator
6
: the work done or distance traveled at normal rate in an hour <the city was two hours away>
7
a : a class session b : credit hour, semester hour
— after hours
: after the regular quitting or closing time
See hour defined for English-language learners
See hour defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HOUR
Middle English, from Anglo-French ure, eure, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin hora canonical hour, from Latin, hour of the day, from Greek hōra — more at year
HOUR Defined for Kids
hour
noun \ˈau̇r\
Definition of HOUR for Kids
1
: one of the 24 divisions of a day : 60 minutes
2
: the time of day <The hour is now half past five.>
3
: a fixed or particular time <school hours> <He helped in our hour of need.>
4
: the distance that can be traveled in an hour <She lives three hours from here.>
Learn More About HOUR
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: houragePrevious Word in the Dictionary: houppelandeAll Words Near: hour
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up hour? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).