Definition
Time notation
Time notation is a conventional way to write a clock time or a duration.
What it means
A written time works like labeled slots. One slot can show hours, another minutes, and sometimes another seconds; the clock system and context tell you how to read them.
Remember it
Each slot has a job: hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds.
Example
14:30 in 24-hour notation and 2:30 PM in 12-hour notation name the same clock time. A duration of 2 hours 30 minutes should be labeled as a duration, not mistaken for 2:30 PM.
Watch for
A string such as 03:00 needs context: it may name a clock time or a duration. The marks alone do not always decide which meaning is intended.
Common mix-up
2:30 PM is a clock time; 2 h 30 min is a duration.
Exact meaning
Time notation is a conventional written form that shows a clock time or a duration by placing numbers and marks according to a stated time system.