An hour is a unit of time that equals 60 minutes. It is commonly used in daily life to measure durations, such as how long a meeting lasts or how long it takes to cook a meal. The hour is part of the 24-hour clock system, which divides a day into 24 hours, starting at midnight. In many cultures, an hour is also divided into smaller units called minutes and seconds. Each minute contains 60 seconds, making it easier to track shorter periods of time. The concept of an hour is essential for scheduling activities and managing time effectively.