hour

hour · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A period of time equal to 60 minutes; one twenty-fourth of a day.

  2. 2.

    A particular point in time; a fixed period during the day.

  3. 3.

    A distance traveled in one hour.

  4. 4.

    A significant time or moment.

  5. 5.

    (hours) A long time.

Forms

plural: hours

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    at the eleventh hour — at the last possible moment
  • •
    happy hour — a period when drinks are discounted
  • •
    the small hours — the early hours of the morning
  • •
    on the hour — at exactly the hour (1:00, 2:00, etc.)
  • •
    hour of need — a time when help is most needed
  • •
    office hours — the time when an office is open

Related words

See also: day, hours, minute, time
Synonyms: period, time

Etymology

From Old French "ore" (hour), from Latin "hōra" (hour, time, season), from Greek "hōra" (season, time of day, hour), from Proto-Indo-European "*yeh₁r-" (year, season). The 'h' was restored in spelling during the Renaissance based on the Latin form, though it is not pronounced.