# clockwork

/ˈkɫɑˌkwɝk/ (US) · /klˈɒkwɜːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clockwork
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the inner parts of a clock or watch that make it work. It is also used to describe a system that works perfectly and regularly.

For teachers: the internal mechanism of a clock or watch, consisting of a system of gears and springs. Often used metaphorically to describe a process that functions with extreme regularity and precision.

## Examples

- The old toy still runs on a simple clockwork mechanism.
- The logistics team managed the entire event like clockwork, ensuring every speaker started exactly on time.
- Restoring the antique timepiece required a steady hand and a deep understanding of eighteenth-century clockwork, as many of the original brass gears had worn thin.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the prepositional phrase 'like clockwork' to describe a reliable or predictable event.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.