clockwork

noun

clock·​work ˈkläk-ˌwərk 

1

: the inner workings of something

2

: the machinery (such as springs and a train of gears) that run a clock

also : a similar mechanism running a mechanical device (such as a toy)

3

: the precision, regularity, or absence of variation associated with a clock or clockwork

a clockwork operation

—used in the phrase like clockwork to describe something that happens or works in a regular and exact way

This type of star has a wonderful property: Its brightness waxes and wanes like clockwork…

—Ron Cowen

If everything went like clockwork, it would have taken a year to get items in stores.

—Brooks Barnes

Examples of clockwork in a Sentence

the clockwork inside a mechanical toy soldier

Recent Examples on the Web

Weston McKennie arrived, like clockwork, into Manchester City’s penalty area and timed his volley with precision. —Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

The last major price hike was in October 2023, and other streamers have been raising prices like clockwork just about every year. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2025

Like clockwork, Taylor Swift arrives at Kansas City Chiefs games a little over an hour before kickoff. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

Like clockwork, every 28 seconds John steps up to the bar, does 5 impossibly fast and smooth pull-ups, and then drops back down. —Outside Online, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

clockwork

noun

clock·​work ˈkläk-ˌwərk 

: machinery (as in a mechanical toy) containing a set of small cogwheels