What does hour mean?
An hour is a standard unit of time equal to sixty minutes, or one twenty-fourth of a day. In everyday use, it can mean either a complete period of that length or a particular moment, as when someone says “the hour of departure.” The word also appears in expressions describing schedules and routines, such as “within the hour,” “peak hour,” and “24-hour service.” In figurative language, an hour may refer to a difficult or significant experience: “the longest hour of the night.” Although the word is simple in meaning, it is central to describing nearly every human schedule, from work and travel to meals, opening hours, and appointments. Its use is widespread in British and American English, with no major regional restriction.
nounA period of time consisting of sixty minutes. The term is also used for particular points in time, such as an appointed time or a designated part of the day.
- A period of time lasting sixty minutes.
- A particular time or appointed moment.
- A point in the day identified by a particular number on a clock.
- A long or difficult period of experience, often in figurative expressions.
"The train arrives in half an hour, so there is still time to grab a coffee."
"We waited for almost an hour before the doctor called us in."
"The library opens at nine in the morning and closes at six in the evening."
"The journey was the most stressful hour of my life."
The plural is used for schedules, opening times, and extended periods of time.
"The museum is open for six hours on weekdays."
An hour is one-sixtieth of a day, yet its name comes from the same ancient timekeeping tradition that helped organize the entire day.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hour
“Hour” comes through Old French “hore” from Latin “hora,” a borrowed term from Greek “hṓrā,” meaning a season or period of time. The Latin word was used in the classical and medieval periods for a division of the day, and the English word gradually became associated specifically with a period of sixty minutes. “Horary” and “horoscope” preserve related forms of the same Greek and Latin time-related root, though they now have different meanings.
Related word forms
How hour is actually used
“Hour” is used in many fixed time expressions and is common in both formal and informal contexts. The plural “hours” can refer to a schedule, opening times, or an extended period, as in “the shop is open 24 hours.”
Easily confused with hour
“Hour” is a noun meaning a period of sixty minutes, while “our” is a possessive or determiner meaning belonging to us.