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Definitions

hourglass

[ouuhr-glas, -glahs, ou-er-] / ˈaʊərˌglæs, -ˌglɑs, ˈaʊ ər- /
NOUN
chronometer
Synonyms
STRONG
clock metronome timepiece timer
NOUN
clock
Synonyms
STRONGEST
timer
STRONG
alarm chronograph chronometer metronome pendulum stopwatch sundial ticker timekeeper timepiece watch
WEAK
Big Ben chroniker digital watch tick-tock timemarker
NOUN
timepiece
Synonyms
STRONG
calendar chronograph chronometer chronoscope clepsydra clock dial gnomon horologe metronome pendulum repeater stopwatch sundial watch
WEAK
alarm clock isochronon time-keeper

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the screams of our lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

"The hourglass is slowly running out, and time is being wasted," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

But then, an hourglass turns and time winds back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2025

The hourglass silhouette – the cinched in waist and fuller skirt – felt pointed and intentional.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

Dust was caked on her skin and piled on her shoulders as if she’d taken a shower at the bottom of an hourglass.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.