shot clock

noun

: a clock in basketball that displays a countdown of the time within which shooting the ball is required

Examples of shot clock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After electrical issues caused multiple shot clocks to malfunction, and choppy officiating gave way to numerous review stoppages, the fan cam inside the arena was put to work. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025 Most teams walked the ball upcourt on almost every possession and rarely, if ever, looked to create pace while milking the shot clock and playing slowdown basketball. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 Former Kansas State standout Michael Beasley, who scored a game-high 25 points in the game in Florida, passed from the free-throw line to a wide-open Chalmers in the corner with four seconds left on the shot clock. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025 Trailing by five with 1:31 to play, the Lynx forced the Dream into a desperation shot as the shot clock was about to expire and Alanna Smith hit a triple at the other end with 48.9 seconds left. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shot clock

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shot clock was in 1967

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Cite this Entry

“Shot clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shot%20clock. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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