watch

²watch

noun

Definition of WATCH

1

a : the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend b obsolete : the state of being wakeful c : a wake over a dead body d : a state of alert and continuous attention e : close observation : surveillance f : a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to the possibility of severe weather conditions occurring in the near future <a winter storm watch>

2

a : any of the definite divisions of the night made by ancient peoples b : one of the indeterminate intervals marking the passage of night —usually used in plural <the silent watches of the night>

3

a : lookout, watchman b archaic : the office or function of a sentinel or guard

4

a : a body of soldiers or sentinels making up a guard b : a watchman or body of watchmen formerly assigned to patrol the streets of a town at night, announce the hours, and act as police

5

a (1) : a portion of time during which a part of a ship's company is on duty (2) : the part of a ship's company required to be on duty during a particular watch (3) : a sailor's assigned duty period b : a period of duty : shift c : a term as holder especially of an overseeing or managerial office <the business grew on her watch>

6

: a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket — compare clock

Examples of WATCH

1. He glanced at his watch.
2. When you're driving in winter you should always be on the watch for ice on the roads.

First Known Use of WATCH

before 12th century

Related to WATCH

Synonyms: custodian, guardian, keeper, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, guard, watcher, watchman

Related Words: observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

Near Antonyms: absentmindedness, abstraction, daydreaming, daze, distraction; absorption, engrossment, obliviousness, preoccupation; unawareness, unconsciousness; carelessness, heedlessness, inattention, inattentiveness, inobservance; unwariness

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Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr