twelve-hour clock

or 12-hour clock

[ twelv-ouuhr klok, ou-er ]

noun

1. a system of time measurement in which the day is divided into two twelve-hour periods, both midnight and noon are 12:00, and the hours following each are numbered from 1:00 to 11:00 a.m. or p.m. Compare twenty-four-hour clock ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of twelve-hour clock¹

First recorded in 1870–80

Example Sentences

With one hand in her pocket and a piece of bread and jam in the other, Julia wandered about the room, glancing indifferently at the bookcase, pointing out the best way of repairing the gateleg table, plumping herself down in the ragged armchair to see if it was comfortable, and examining the absurd twelve-hour clock with a sort of tolerant amusement.

From Literature

Indeed, she was like a little, twelve-hour clock, vis-a-vis with the enormous clock of eternity—there she was, like Dignity and Impudence, or Impudence and Dignity.

From Project Gutenberg