watcher

noun

watch·​er ˈwä-chər 

ˈwȯ-

: one that watches: such as

a

: one that sits up or continues awake at night

b

: watchman

c(1)

: one that keeps watch beside a dead person

(2)

: one that attends a sick person at night

d

: a person who closely follows or observes someone or something

a Supreme Court watcher

—often used in combination

celebrity-watchers

e

: a representative of a party or candidate who is stationed at the polls on an election day to watch the conduct of officials and voters

Synonyms

• guardian
• custodian
• guard
• keeper
• warden
• sentinel
• watch
• observer

Examples of watcher in a Sentence

the inexperienced babysitter turned out to be a well-meaning but hopelessly incompetent watcher of young children

a safari that affords wildlife watchers plenty of opportunities to see Africa's grandest creatures in their natural habitat

Recent Examples on the Web

But China’s economic data offers little confirmation that a genuine and sustainable rebound is underway, market watchers said. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025

To some market watchers, Nvidia’s latest deals feel all-too-similar to the excesses of past technology booms. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

One leaf watcher still expects a good show this fall in the high country, with peak colors in mid-October. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Even with the influx of storm watchers, the island is quieter during winter than summer. —Alexandra Marvar, AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher