1. a mechanism in a timepiece that controls the release of energy to regulate the movement of the hands
Usage: horology
2. the act of escaping or the means of escape
Usage: formal

Examples

• The watchmaker carefully adjusted the escapement to improve the clock’s accuracy.
• The antique grandfather clock’s escapement needed repair after decades of use.
• Modern quartz watches don’t require a traditional mechanical escapement.
• The prisoner planned his escapement through the ventilation system.
• The novel described the hero’s daring escapement from the fortress.
• Without a proper escapement mechanism, the pendulum clock would not keep time.