watchword

noun

watch·​word ˈwäch-ˌwərd How to pronounce watchword (audio)
ˈwȯch-
1
: a word or phrase used as a sign of recognition among members of the same society, class, or group
2
a
: a word or motto that embodies a principle or guide to action of an individual or group : slogan
"safety" is our watchword
b
: a guiding principle
change is the watchword for both parties

Examples of watchword in a Sentence

The new watchword in his campaign is “It's time for change.” the watchword is changed every day
Recent Examples on the Web But parity figures to be the watchword throughout this 2024 season. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024 Democratic ideas that were punishable by imprisonment in the sixteen-sixties became the watchwords of the American and French Revolutions a century later. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Passion and Perseverance, the two watchwords at this year’s TV Drama Vision in Göteborg will resonate across this year’s program where a record 700 delegates will take the pulse of what’s hot and upcoming from the Nordics and Europe. Annika Pham, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024 Business, policy and cultural leaders have always had to contend with uncertainty, a watchword that has almost become a cliché. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023 There are glimmers of hope that inflation may finally be peaking, but the watchword for 2023 remains caution. Will Daniel, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023 Dillon’s refusal to search for keys, or to venture even the vaguest account of his watchword, might grow aggravating — if the rest of his collection were not such a rich demonstration of the concept in action. Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023 The watchword in elite climate policymaking circles has long been that widespread prosperity—measured in growth in gross domestic product—would trickle down into emissions reductions as countries develop the capacity to get off fossil fuels or even eliminate emissions from them. Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2023 Benghazi, the main seat of power in Libya’s east, became a buzzword in the context of U.S. political theater, the watchword for an earlier era of Republican hysteria over the killing of four U.S. diplomats that launched a marathon series of congressional hearings. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'watchword.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchword was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near watchword

Cite this Entry

“Watchword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchword. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

watchword

noun
watch·​word -ˌwərd How to pronounce watchword (audio)
1
: a secret word used as a signal or password
2
: a motto used as a slogan or cry for common support

More from Merriam-Webster on watchword

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