clockwork
noun
clock·work
ˈkläk-ˌwərk 
1
: the inner workings of something
2
: the machinery (such as springs and a train of gears) that run a clock
also
: a similar mechanism running a mechanical device (such as a toy)
3
: the precision, regularity, or absence of variation associated with a clock or clockwork
a clockwork operation
—used in the phrase like clockwork to describe something that happens or works in a regular and exact wayThis type of star has a wonderful property: Its brightness waxes and wanes like clockwork…—
Ron Cowen
Ron CowenIf everything went like clockwork, it would have taken a year to get items in stores.—Brooks Barnes
Brooks BarnesExamples of clockwork in a Sentence
the clockwork inside a mechanical toy soldier
Recent Examples on the Web
Sure enough, like clockwork, 12 hours later, the symptoms manifested.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Like clockwork, our first singing male arrived on the first day of spring to fill the morning air with his enthusiastic and hopeful song.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Twice a year, every year, the ritual returns as literal clockwork: the start and end of daylight saving time.
—Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
The Saros Cycle This is the Saros Cycle, a regular pattern of repeating moon shadows that fall on Earth’s surface like clockwork.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Then, like clockwork, the birds opened their animatronic beaks and spoke.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
The synthetic rubber of the outfield warning track crumbles beneath your shoes and every 10 seconds or so, the crack of the bat goes off like clockwork.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024
So when the craving for vinegary rice and raw fish comes around like clockwork, the spendy devil on my shoulder trying to convince me to order takeout, supermarket sushi is my ever-reliable angel on the other.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 23 Mar. 2024
Like clockwork, Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) appear in grocery stores and flower shops in the spring.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Like clockwork, our first singing male arrived on the first day of spring to fill the morning air with his enthusiastic and hopeful song.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Twice a year, every year, the ritual returns as literal clockwork: the start and end of daylight saving time.
—Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
The Saros Cycle This is the Saros Cycle, a regular pattern of repeating moon shadows that fall on Earth’s surface like clockwork.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Then, like clockwork, the birds opened their animatronic beaks and spoke.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
The synthetic rubber of the outfield warning track crumbles beneath your shoes and every 10 seconds or so, the crack of the bat goes off like clockwork.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024
So when the craving for vinegary rice and raw fish comes around like clockwork, the spendy devil on my shoulder trying to convince me to order takeout, supermarket sushi is my ever-reliable angel on the other.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 23 Mar. 2024
Like clockwork, Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) appear in grocery stores and flower shops in the spring.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clockwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clockwork
Cite this Entry
“Clockwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clockwork. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clockwork
noun
clock·work
ˈkläk-ˌwərk
: machinery (as in a mechanical toy) containing a set of small cogwheels
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