hour

A period of sixty minutes.

• The journey takes an hour.
• We waited for two hours.
• How many hours do you work each day?

Common phrases: an hour, half an hour, per hour

A particular time of day, or a time when something important happens.

• Why are you awake at this hour?
• They stood by him in his darkest hour.
• Help arrived at the hour of greatest need.

How to use it: at an/the hour (Why are you calling at this hour?); hour of something (Her friends supported her in her hour of need.)

Similar words: time, moment

Common phrases: at this hour, hour of need, darkest hour

The time shown by a clock, especially when asking or saying what time it is.

• Can you tell me the hour?
• The hour grew late, and the guests left.
• The clock struck, announcing the hour.

Similar words: time

Common phrases: tell the hour, hour grows late, know the hour