around the clock

1 of 2

phrase

variants or less commonly round the clock
Synonyms of around the clocknext
1
: continuously for 24 hours : day and night without cessation
2
: without relaxation and heedless of time

around-the-clock

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈrau̇nd-ṯẖə-ˈkläk How to pronounce around-the-clock (audio)
: being in effect, continuing, or lasting 24 hours a day : constant
around-the-clock surveillance

Examples of around the clock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Phrase
Since then, crews have worked around the clock to get neighborhoods back up and running. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Smoky skies plagued the East Coast and Midwest again in summer 2026, as wildfires hundreds of miles away forced people to cancel sports practices and run air conditioners around the clock. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Nuclear plants that once seemed destined for retirement have suddenly become attractive sources of around-the-clock power for technology companies looking for large blocks of reliable electricity. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 McCollough was also struggling to keep up with Watts’ around-the-clock partying, which began taking a toll on her physically and mentally. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for around the clock

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of around the clock was in 1872

Rhymes for around the clock

See All Rhymes for around the clock

Browse Nearby Words

around the block
around the clock
around-the-clock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Around the clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/around%20the%20clock. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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