WordGarden.iotimekeeping
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈaɪmkiːpɪŋ/
US
- /tˈaɪmkiːpɪŋ/
Meanings
Noun
the practice or system of measuring and recording time accurately
the recording of employees' working hours for attendance or payroll
the ability or practice of keeping a steady beat in music
Beyond the definition
Timekeeping is the practice of measuring, recording, and managing time. It often means keeping track of work hours, making sure events happen at the right moment, or following a clear schedule. Think of a busy bakery; good timekeeping helps the bread rise and bake for the right amount of time. It can be as simple as writing down when a shift starts and ends, or as detailed as running a train system on schedule.
Historically, timekeeping was crucial for farming, travel, and navigation. Today, it is very important in business for payroll, attendance, planning, and legal records. A reliable timekeeping system builds trust because people know when they are expected to arrive, how long they worked, and whether things are running on time. You might say a person or a company has "excellent timekeeping" if they are very punctual and well organized.
Timekeeping includes the methods people use to measure, record, and manage time in daily life and in larger systems. It is not only about knowing what time it is; it is also about making sure activities happen at the right time and, in many cases, keeping a record of how time is used.
In a work setting, timekeeping often means tracking employee hours for payroll. Timesheets, clock-in systems, and digital attendance records are all forms of timekeeping. Accurate records help make sure people are paid fairly, and they also help employers check attendance and manage schedules. The word can also refer more broadly to keeping precise time in other situations, such as running transport systems, timing a sports event, or maintaining clocks and watches.
The importance of timekeeping has changed over history. Ancient societies used sundials, water clocks, and other early tools to follow the passage of the day. Modern society uses digital systems and even atomic clocks when very high accuracy is needed. In everyday life, the word is also linked with punctuality: if someone has good timekeeping, they usually arrive on time and keep to a schedule.
Ultimately, timekeeping is about handling time carefully and reliably. Whether you are logging billable hours, recording attendance, timing an activity, or making sure a clock stays accurate, you are taking part in the practical work of timekeeping.
Examples
- 1
Clock accuracy
Even after 100 years, the old clock still has excellent timekeeping.
- 2
Work hours
The company uses a mobile app for timekeeping, so staff can log their hours from any site.
- 3
Sports timing
Olympic races depend on electronic timekeeping to separate runners who finish almost together.
- 4
Punctuality
Her manager spoke to her about poor timekeeping after she arrived late three times in one week.
- Phrasepoor timekeeping
a habit of being late
See also
Similar
- time measurement
- chronometry
Shades of meaning
- time tracking
- timing
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- accurate timekeeping
- timekeeping system
- timekeeping device
Word family
Explore
- horology
- synchronization
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- timekeepingnoun