Hour: meaning, definitions and examples
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hour
[ aʊər ]
measurement of time
A period of time equal to one twenty-fourth of a day and night and divided into 60 minutes.
Synonyms
60 minutes, time unit.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hour |
Used in everyday language to measure a period of time equal to 60 minutes.
|
| 60 minutes |
Used in a descriptive or more formal context, often for precision or when explaining something to make it clear.
|
| time unit |
Used in academic, scientific, or technical contexts to explain or measure periods of time.
|
Examples of usage
- The meeting will start in half an hour.
- She wakes up every morning at six o'clock on the dot.
specific time of day
A particular point in time, especially when something happens or is planned to happen.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hour |
Used similarly to the first 'hour', referring to the same concept of 60 minutes. It indicates a specific time period in daily activities.
|
| time |
A more general term used to talk about the ongoing continuum of events. Can refer to hours, days, years, or any duration.
|
| moment |
Refers to a very short period of time, usually used when something happens quickly or suddenly. It's also used to stress the importance of a brief period.
|
Examples of usage
- The concert will begin at eight o'clock.
- We usually have lunch at one o'clock.
duration
A period of time used for various situations such as work, travel, or a specific activity.
Synonyms
length of time, time period.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hour |
This term is typically used when referring to a specific time on a clock or watch, particularly in expressions related to the time of day.
|
| time period |
This term is suitable for describing a span of time which often has historical, project-based, or longer duration significance. It's commonly used in academic, professional, and historical discussions.
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| length of time |
This phrase is used when the exact duration is not specified, focusing more on the experience or impact of the time. It is often seen in more formal or literary contexts.
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Examples of usage
- She worked for several hours on the project.
- The flight from London to New York takes about seven hours.
Translations
Translations of the word "hour" in other languages:
🇵🇹 hora
🇮🇳 घंटा
🇩🇪 Stunde
🇮🇩 jam
🇺🇦 година
🇵🇱 godzina
🇯🇵 時間 (じかん)
🇫🇷 heure
🇪🇸 hora
🇹🇷 saat
🇰🇷 시간 (시간)
🇸🇦 ساعة
🇨🇿 hodina
🇸🇰 hodina
🇨🇳 小时 (xiǎoshí)
🇸🇮 ura
🇮🇸 klukkustund
🇰🇿 сағат
🇬🇪 საათი (saati)
🇦🇿 saat
🇲🇽 hora
Etymology
The word 'hour' originated from the Old French 'ure', which came from the Latin 'hora'. The concept of dividing the day into 24 equal parts dates back to ancient times, with the Sumerians and Egyptians using similar systems. The modern division of an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds was established by the Babylonians. The importance of measuring time accurately has been crucial throughout history for various purposes, such as navigation, astronomy, and scheduling activities.