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

• lookout
• surveillance
• watch

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

Renae Rodden, a former co-worker of Bevers, showed her gratitude for the people gathered at the vigil. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2024

Some Palestinian citizens of Israel were even arrested on their way to small vigils, which by law do not require a police permit. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024

This, Long said, was evident by the sheer number of people who came out to her vigil at the intersection where she was killed. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024

Remember: Cybersecurity is a continuous vigil, not a one-time fix. —Chris Schueler, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

According to family and friends, Nex identified as non-binary, and their death drew national attention, with multiple vigils taking place for the teen throughout the US, as advocates pointed to a heightened and hostile climate against the LGBTQ+ community. —Jamiel Lynch and Leah Thomeer, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024

On Monday night, at an impromptu vigil in an Oxnard alleyway, scores of people turned out to mourn, his mother said. —Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

For three nights, Allan sat vigil beside her, shell-shocked and inconsolable. —Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024

On March 7, community members held the first vigil for Lord since Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced the indictment of the seven suspects. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024

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