The minute hand is a long, slender pointer on a clock or watch that indicates the minutes. It moves around the clock face, completing one full rotation every hour. The minute hand is typically longer than the hour hand, allowing it to be easily distinguished. In a standard clock, the minute hand moves in a clockwise direction. Each full rotation represents 60 minutes, with each minute marked by a small tick on the clock face. The position of the minute hand helps people keep track of time and is essential for reading both analog clocks and watches.