hour
UK: ˈaʊə(r) | US: ˈaʊər
n. a period of time equal to 60 minutes
n. a specific point in time (e.g., "the hour of his death")
n. (plural) fixed periods for work or activities (e.g., "office hours")
The word "hour" traces back to Old French hore (modern heure), derived from Latin hōra, which itself comes from Greek hṓra (ὥρα), meaning "time" or "season." The Greek term originally referred to natural cycles (e.g., seasons, daylight). Latin adopted it for the 24-part division of the day, and Old French simplified the spelling to hore. English retained the "h" but dropped the final "e," stabilizing as "hour" by the 13th century. The silent "h" reflects its French origin, while the "-our" ending aligns with other Norman-influenced words (e.g., "colour," "honour").
The meeting lasted for over an hour.
She arrived at the eleventh hour to submit her application.
The clock struck the hour with a deep chime.
Doctors work long hours during emergencies.
"Happy hour" discounts are popular at bars.