vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvi-jəl 

1

: the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary

also : a period of wakefulness

2

: an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night

a candlelight vigil

kept vigil at her bedside

3

a

: a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions

b

: the day before a religious feast observed as a day of spiritual preparation

c

: evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

• watch
• surveillance

Examples of vigil in a Sentence

kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital

Recent Examples on the Web

Organizers anticipated about 300 people to attend a vigil shortly after Wadee died, but had 3,000 people show, Faheem said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025

The event was organized by LA Voice — a multi-faith activist organization that has held multiple vigils and demonstrations in Los Angeles since the raids began but sought to build more connections between community members inland. —Annie Goodykoontz, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025

The teens were students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, according to social media posts from the school, which held a prayer vigil on campus Monday morning. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a candlelight vigil on June 10 in Los Angeles. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigile, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin vigilia watch on the eve of a feast, from Latin, wakefulness, watch, from vigil awake, watchful; akin to Latin vigēre to be vigorous, vegēre to enliven — more at wake

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing vigil

• keep vigil
• vigil light

Kids Definition

vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvij-əl 

1

a

: the day before a religious feast

b

: prayers or religious services held in the evening or at night

—usually used in plural

2

: an act or period of staying awake at times when one normally would be sleeping

an all-night vigil spent awaiting her return

3

: an act or period of attentive watching : watch

kept vigil at the bedside of his ill son