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 of vigil

• 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

The release came ahead of a candlelight vigil outside LAPD headquarters Friday, where activists called for the identification of the officer involved and the release of additional records. —City News Service, Daily News, 20 June 2026

At the June 11 vigil, held at the same complex where the girls were shot, Jackson was embraced by friends and family, too emotional to speak. —Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026

The same day that activists planned a rally and candlelight vigil to demand justice after a Canoga Park family's dog was fatally shot by police, the Los Angeles Police Department released bodycam video of the incident. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 June 2026

At the vigil, attendees released pink, purple and white balloons in her honor. —Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

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