Clock vs. Timepiece — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 25, 2024
A clock is a device specifically designed to indicate time using digits or hands on a dial, while a timepiece is a general term for devices that measure or indicate time.
Difference Between Clock and Timepiece
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A clock typically displays time using a dial and hands, showing hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds. Timepieces, on the other hand, encompass a broader category, including clocks but also other devices like watches or timers.
Clocks are often designed for public or home use, prominently placed on walls or desks. Timepieces, whereas, can be personal items such as wristwatches or pocket watches.
Most clocks are powered by mechanisms like quartz or mechanical movements. Timepieces, on the other hand, may utilize a variety of mechanisms, including digital, mechanical, or atomic to keep time.
Clocks often serve as functional decor in homes or public spaces. Whereas timepieces can be both functional and fashion accessories, often designed with an emphasis on portability and style.
The term "clock" is usually reserved for devices with a specific function of displaying time in a fixed location. Timepieces, on the other hand, can refer to any device that measures time, regardless of its form or placement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A device for indicating time with a dial and hands.
A general term for any device that measures or indicates time.
Common Types
Wall clocks, desk clocks.
Watches, stopwatches, chronometers.
Power Source
Mainly quartz or mechanical.
Can include quartz, mechanical, digital, atomic.
Usage Location
Fixed locations like walls or desks.
Portable or fixed, including personal wear.
Functionality
Primarily tells time.
Can have additional functions like stopwatch, timer, alarm.
Compare with Definitions
Clock
A device with a face and hands indicating time.
The clock on the wall struck twelve.
Timepiece
A general term for any device measuring or displaying time.
His grandfather's timepiece was an antique pocket watch.
Clock
Typically larger and mounted on walls or placed on desks.
The grand clock in the lobby was a centerpiece.
Timepiece
Often uses varied mechanisms to operate.
The digital timepiece required precise programming.
Clock
An instrument measuring time in hours, minutes, and seconds.
She glanced at the clock to check if she was late.
Timepiece
May include features like alarms or chronometers.
His timepiece beeped every hour on the hour.
Clock
Used in public and private spaces for time display.
Every classroom in the school had a clock.
Timepiece
Includes devices worn on the body, like watches.
She wore a luxurious timepiece on her wrist.
Clock
Powered often by batteries or electricity.
The old clock stopped working during the power outage.
Timepiece
Can be highly decorative or functional.
The ornate timepiece was more of a fashion statement.
Clock
A clock is a device used to measure, verify, keep, and indicate time. The clock is one of the oldest human inventions, meeting the need to measure intervals of time shorter than the natural units: the day, the lunar month, and the year.
Timepiece
An instrument, such as a clock or watch, that measures, registers, or records time.
Clock
An instrument other than a watch for measuring or indicating time, especially a mechanical or electronic device having a numbered dial and moving hands or a digital display.
Timepiece
Any device that measures or registers time; a clock or watch, especially one lacking a chime or other striking mechanism.
Clock
A time clock.
Timepiece
A clock, watch, or other instrument, to measure or show the progress of time; a chronometer.
Clock
A source of regularly occurring pulses used to measure the passage of time, as in a computer.
Timepiece
A measuring instrument or device for keeping time
Clock
Any of various devices that indicate measurement, such as a speedometer or a taximeter.
Clock
A biological clock.
Clock
The downy flower head of a dandelion that has gone to seed.
Clock
An embroidered or woven decoration on the side of a stocking or sock.
Clock
To time, as with a stopwatch
Clock a runner.
Clock
To register or record with a mechanical device
Clocked the winds at 60 miles per hour.
Clock
(Informal) To strike or hit (someone) forcefully, especially in the face.
Clock
To record working hours with a time clock
Clocks in at 8:00 and out at 4:00.
Clock
To be measured or registered, especially at a certain speed or rate. Often used with in
A fastball that clocks in at 95 miles per hour.
Clock
An instrument that measures or keeps track of time; a non-wearable timepiece.
Clock
(attributive) A common noun relating to an instrument that measures or keeps track of time.
A 12-hour clock system; an antique clock sale; Acme is a clock manufacturer.
Clock
(British) The odometer of a motor vehicle.
This car has over 300,000 miles on the clock.
Clock
(electronics) An electrical signal that synchronizes timing among digital circuits of semiconductor chips or modules.
Clock
The seed head of a dandelion.
Clock
A time clock.
I can't go off to lunch yet: I'm still on the clock.
We let the guys use the shop's tools and equipment for their own projects as long as they're off the clock.
Clock
A CPU clock cycle, or T-state.
Clock
(uncountable) A luck-based patience or solitaire card game with the cards laid out to represent the face of a clock.
Clock
A pattern near the heel of a sock or stocking.
Clock
(transitive) To measure the duration of.
Clock
(transitive) To measure the speed of.
He was clocked at 155 miles per hour.
Clock
To hit (someone) heavily.
When the boxer let down his guard, his opponent clocked him.
Clock
(slang) To take notice of; to realise; to recognize someone or something.
Clock the wheels on that car!
He finally clocked that there were no more cornflakes.
Clock
(transgender slang) To identify someone as being transgender.
A trans person may be able to easily clock other trans people.
Clock
To falsify the reading of the odometer of a vehicle.
I don't believe that car has done only 40,000 miles. It's been clocked.
Clock
To beat a video game.
Have you clocked that game yet?
Clock
(transitive) To ornament (e.g. the side of a stocking) with figured work.
Clock
To make the sound of a hen; to cluck.
Clock
To hatch.
Clock
A machine for measuring time, indicating the hour and other divisions; in ordinary mechanical clocks for domestic or office use the time is indicated on a typically circular face or dial plate containing two hands, pointing to numbers engraved on the periphery of the face, thus showing the hours and minutes. The works of a mechanical clock are moved by a weight or a spring, and it is often so constructed as to tell the hour by the stroke of a hammer on a bell. In electrical or electronic clocks, the time may be indicated, as on a mechanical clock, by hands, but may also be indicated by direct digital readout, with the hours and minutes in normal Arabic numerals. The readout using hands is often called analog to distinguish it from the digital readout. Some clocks also indicate the seconds. Clocks are not adapted, like the watch, to be carried on the person. Specialized clocks, such as atomic clocks, may be constructed on different principles, and may have a very high precision for use in scientific observations.
Clock
A watch, esp. one that strikes.
Clock
The striking of a clock.
Clock
A figure or figured work on the ankle or side of a stocking.
Clock
A large beetle, esp. the European dung beetle (Scarabæus stercorarius).
Clock
To ornament with figured work, as the side of a stocking.
Clock
To call, as a hen. See Cluck.
Clock
A timepiece that shows the time of day
Clock
Measure the time or duration of an event or action or the person who performs an action in a certain period of time;
He clocked the runners
Common Curiosities
Can a watch be considered a clock?
Technically, yes, as a watch is a type of timepiece, but it is usually not referred to as a "clock" due to its wearable nature.
What is a timepiece?
A timepiece is any device that measures or indicates time, including clocks, watches, and timers.
What is a clock?
A clock is a time-displaying device, typically featuring a dial and hands, and often designed for public or home use.
Do timepieces always show time?
Yes, all timepieces have the primary function of showing or measuring time, though they may include additional functionalities.
Is a stopwatch considered a timepiece?
Yes, a stopwatch is a type of timepiece specifically designed for measuring intervals of time.
How do clocks differ from other timepieces?
Clocks are usually fixed and display time traditionally with hands and a dial, while other timepieces might be portable and include digital displays.
Where are clocks typically used?
Clocks are commonly found in homes, offices, and public spaces for easy time reference.
What types of timepieces are there?
Timepieces can include wristwatches, pocket watches, wall clocks, desk clocks, and more specialized forms like stopwatches or chronometers.
Are all timepieces mechanical?
No, timepieces can be mechanical, digital, or use atomic precision, depending on their design and purpose.
What's the difference between an analog clock and a digital timepiece?
An analog clock displays time with hands moving over a dial, whereas a digital timepiece shows time in a numeric display.
What are the common power sources for clocks?
Clocks often use quartz mechanisms powered by batteries or electrical mechanical movements.
What is the primary function of a clock?
The primary function of a clock is to display the current time continuously.
Why might someone choose a clock over another type of timepiece?
Someone might choose a clock for static, reliable time-telling in a fixed location, where design and visibility are important.
Can a timepiece be a fashion accessory?
Yes, many timepieces, especially watches, are designed as fashion accessories in addition to their functional purpose.
How are timepieces powered?
Timepieces can be powered by various mechanisms, including battery, winding, solar, or even kinetic energy.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
