sweep-second hand

noun

sweep-sec·​ond hand ˈswēp-ˌse-kənd- How to pronounce sweep-second hand (audio)
-kənt-
: a hand marking seconds on a timepiece mounted concentrically with the other hands and read from the same dial as the minute hand

Examples of sweep-second hand 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.
When the push piece at 2:00 is activated, the split-second hand stops while the sweep-second hand continues running. Roberta Naas, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 When the crown is pressed, the center sweep-second hand and the split-seconds hand both begin running but are superimposed. Roberta Naas, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweep-second hand was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near sweep-second hand

Cite this Entry

“Sweep-second hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep-second%20hand. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sweep-second hand

noun
ˈswēp-ˌsek-ənd-,
-ənt-
: a hand marking seconds on a timepiece that is read from the same dial as the minute hand
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!