time clock

noun

1. a clock with an attachment that may be manually activated to stamp or otherwise record the exact time on a card or tape, used to keep a record of the time of something, as of the arrival and departure of employees.

time clock

noun

1. a clock which records, by punching or stamping cards inserted into it, the time of arrival or departure of people, such as employees in a factory

Word History and Origins

Origin of time clock¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

On Monday, the National Park Service said the time clock that operates the lights had failed.

From Washington Post

You wake up at two or three in the morning, not because you are nervous but because your time clock is all screwed up.

From The Daily Beast

He went after the time clock when he thought he was getting cheated.

From The Daily Beast

"Denise is an actress who is on a time clock," said one source close to Sheen.

From The Daily Beast

Past that, things rocked along until the hands of the big standard-time clock in the despatcher's room pointed to midnight.

From Project Gutenberg

Running up the stairs to the administrative wing, he paused outside the door to punch the time clock.

From Project Gutenberg

A special input register may be connected to operate as a Real Time Clock.

From Project Gutenberg

We got back there 14 after, I noticed the time on my watch, and the Hertz time clock I noticed was about a minute later.

From Project Gutenberg

By the time clock, where I was told to wait, stood the woman just ahead of me in the line.

From Project Gutenberg