military time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to mediumFormal, technical, and professional
Quick answer
What does “military time” mean?
A 24-hour timekeeping system where the day runs from 0000 to 2359, eliminating AM/PM.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A 24-hour timekeeping system where the day runs from 0000 to 2359, eliminating AM/PM.
The standard time notation used by armed forces, emergency services, aviation, logistics, and hospitals for unambiguous communication. Informally refers to any use of the 24-hour clock.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'military time' is the common term for the 24-hour system. In the UK, while understood, '24-hour clock' or '24-hour format' is more common in civilian contexts.
Connotations
US: Strongly associated with the military, discipline, and precision. UK: More neutrally associated with transport timetables, official schedules, and avoiding ambiguity.
Frequency
The term is far more frequent in American English. The system itself is used with similar frequency in professional UK contexts but referred to by a different name.
Grammar
How to Use “military time” in a Sentence
[Subject] uses/reads/converts to military time.The schedule is written in military time.What is [standard time] in military time?Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “military time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The software can automatically military-time the entries for the log.
American English
- Can you military-time that schedule before sending it to the base?
adverb
British English
- The system runs military-time, logging events from 0000 to 2359.
American English
- Think military-time to coordinate with the team in Germany.
adjective
British English
- A military-time format is required for the flight plan.
American English
- He keeps a military-time watch to avoid confusion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in global logistics, project management across time zones, and international conference calls.
Academic
Appears in technical papers, historical documents, and operational research.
Everyday
Used when discussing train/plane schedules, hospital appointments, or coordinating with people in different time zones.
Technical
Standard in programming (ISO 8601), aviation (UTC), military operations, and medical records.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “military time”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “military time”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “military time”
- Saying '2400 hours' for midnight (use '0000').
- Adding 'AM/PM' after a military time (e.g., '1300 PM').
- Using a colon incorrectly in formal writing (e.g., '14:00' is common, but '1400' is strict military).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither. 0000 represents midnight at the start of the day. 2400 can be used for midnight at the end of the day, but 0000 is more common.
Typically, four-digit times are read as two two-digit numbers. 0600 is 'zero six hundred' or 'oh six hundred'. 1830 is 'eighteen thirty'.
Most countries use the 24-hour clock in official, professional, and transportation contexts. However, the term 'military time' is particularly American.
'Military time' refers to the 24-hour format. 'Zulu time' (Z) is a specific designation for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) used in aviation and military to standardize across time zones.
A 24-hour timekeeping system where the day runs from 0000 to 2359, eliminating AM/PM.
Military time is usually formal, technical, and professional in register.
Military time: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tər.i ˌtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.əˌter.i ˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On military time: Operating on a precise, round-the-clock schedule.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier saying 'I report at fourteen hundred hours, not 2 PM!' The association with soldiers helps recall the 24-hour precision.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTINUOUS, MEASURABLE RESOURCE (emphasized by the unbroken 0-24 count).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of using military time?