noun
a period of 60 minutes
The class lasts one hour.
I waited for two hours.
Common phrases & grammar
half an hour · for hours · an hour ago · an hour and a half
for + [number] + hour(s)
[number] + hour(s) + of + [activity]
American English
How to pronounce hour
nounA1Very common word
OWer
/ˈaʊ.ɚ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
a period of 60 minutes
What to listen for
“Hour” has two common pronunciations: a two-syllable form, /ˈaʊ.ɚ/, and a shorter one-syllable form, /aʊɹ/. You may hear either in American English.
Two-syllable pronunciation/ˈaʊ.ɚ/
One-syllable pronunciation/aʊɹ/
Meanings & examples
noun
a fixed period when a business, service, or activity is open or available
The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Please call during business hours.
Good to know
This meaning is usually plural: store hours.
Common phrases & grammar
business hours · store hours · hours of operation · working hours
[place]'s + hours + are + [time range]
during + [type of] + hours
nounformalless common
a particular point in the day, especially one described as early or late
At this hour, the streets are quiet.
She arrived at a late hour.
Common phrases & grammar
the early hours · a late hour · at this hour
at + a/an + [adjective] + hour
at + this/that + hour
Useful expressions
exactly at the stated hour
The bus leaves on the hour.
the busy time when many people travel to or from work
Traffic is worst during rush hour.
for a long time, with one hour following another
She worked hour after hour.