What is "horology"

Horology \Ho*rol"o*gy\, n. [See Horologe.] The science of measuring time, or the principles and art of constructing instruments for measuring and indicating portions of time, as clocks, watches, dials, etc.

science of time, 1819, probably from Greek hora "hour" (see hour) + -logy. Earlier it meant "clock, clock dial" (c.1500), from Latin horologium. Related: Horologist.

n. The study of time, and the art, science and technology of timekeeping and timekeepers, (such as clocks, watches and sundials).

n. the art of designing and making clocks

Horology (via Latin horologium from Greek , from hṓra "hour; time" and -o- interfix and suffix -logy; literally "the study of time") is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, hourglasses, clepsydras, timers, time recorders, marine chronometers and atomic clocks are all examples of instruments used to measure time. In current usage, horology refers mainly to the study of mechanical time-keeping devices, while chronometry more broadly includes electronic devices that have largely supplanted mechanical clocks for the best accuracy and precision in time-keeping.

People interested in horology are called horologists. That term is used both by people who deal professionally with timekeeping apparatus (watchmakers, clockmakers), as well as aficionados and scholars of horology. Horology and horologists have numerous organizations, both professional associations and more scholarly societies.