watch

1 of 2

verb

ˈwäch 

ˈwȯch

watched; watching; watches

intransitive verb

1

a

: to keep vigil as a devotional exercise

b

: to be awake during the night

2

a

: to be attentive or vigilant

b

: to keep guard

3

a

: to keep someone or something under close observation

b

: to observe as a spectator

the country watched as stocks fell sharply

4

: to be expectant : wait

watch for the signal

transitive verb

1

: to keep under guard

2

a

: to observe closely in order to check on action or change

being watched by the police

b

: to look at : observe

sat and watched the crowd

c

: to look on at

watch television

watch a ball game

3

a

: to take care of : tend

b

: to be careful of

watches his diet

4

: to be on the alert for : bide

watched her opportunity

watch

2 of 2

noun

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

Phrases

watch it

: look out : be careful

watch it when you handle the glassware

watch one's step

: to proceed with extreme care : act or talk warily

watch over

: to have charge of : superintend

Synonyms

Verb

• eye
• follow
• observe

Noun

• custodian
• guard
• guardian
• keeper
• lookout
• minder
• picket
• sentinel
• sentry
• warden
• warder
• watcher
• watchman

Examples of watch in a Sentence

Verb

They have a rookie on the team who is fun to watch.

I fell asleep watching television.

What movie are you watching?

“Mom, watch me do a cartwheel!”

She sat and watched the children play.

“Would you like to play, too?” “No, I'll just watch.”

Just sit back and watch.

Keep watching to see what happens next.

“What happens next?” “Watch and see.”

People are watching this presidential race very carefully.

Noun

He glanced at his watch.

When you're driving in winter you should always be on the watch for ice on the roads.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The men push the seemingly fragile rocks down the canyon twice, destroying the formations to rubble as the group of three watch it without much visible reaction. —The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024

Tourists still come from across the world to see the Sistine Chapel, and millions of people still watch Seinfeld and Friends on streaming services. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

As a limited edition of just 20 pieces, this watch ships in a box that automatically sets the time and winds the watch for you. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024

In the clip, Carpenter and Keoghan, who first sparked dating rumors in late 2023, stood right in front of the couple, watching on as the rapper performed. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

Taylor Swift used a black space on her schedule to watch friend and collaborator Jack Antonoff perform with his band Bleachers Saturday night at Coachella. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

How to watch 'Top Chef: Wisconsin': TV channel, streaming Viewers can watch live on Bravo on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. or stream the next day on Peacock, BravoTV.com or the Bravo app. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

For example, a household may frequently watch shows that are heavy on family values, like drama series This Is Us and sitcom Extended Family. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Here's everything to know about the 2024 total solar eclipse, plus where to get eclipse glasses and the best places to watch the eclipse in Arizona. —The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024

Noun

By late Wednesday, flood warnings covered part of Western Ohio and flood watches stretched from Pennsylvania and into New Jersey. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

An area from West Virginia to southern New York was under a flood watch, and a large swath of New England was under winter storm warnings, with more than 1 to 2 feet of snow anticipated by late Thursday. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

An outdoor eclipse watch and activities will take place, too, weather permitting. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

In the months after the killings, the brothers both spent money lavishly: Lyle purchased a café, a Rolex watch and expensive clothing, while Erik hired a full-time tennis coach to pursue the sport professionally. —Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024

Regardless of if and where severe storms develop, most of the region remains under a flood watch issued by the Weather Service through Wednesday afternoon. —Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Flash flood watch through Tuesday Excessive rainfall could cause flash flooding across portions of Indiana including Jefferson, Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, Union and Wayne counties. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

People in the watch area, especially those living in areas prone to flooding, should monitor the latest forecasts for possible flood warnings and be prepared to take action should flooding develop. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024

Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæccan — more at wake

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing watch

• binge-watch
• bird-watch
• hate-watch
• keep a close watch/eye
• keep a close watch over
• keep a watch out for
• keep watch
• keep watch on
• neighborhood watch
• on the watch for
• stand guard/watch
• watch and ward
• watch cap
• watch fire
• watch for
• watch it
• watch list
• watch night
• watch one's back
• watch oneself
• watch one's language
• watch one's language/mouth/tongue
• watch one's mouth
• watch one's p's and q's
• watch one's step
• watch one's tongue
• watch one's weight
• watch out
• watch over
• watch pocket
• watch (someone or something) like a hawk
• watch someone's back
• watch the clock
• watch what one eats
• whale watch
• you watch

Kids Definition

watch

1 of 2 verb

ˈwäch 

ˈwȯch

1

: to stay awake especially during the night (as at the bedside of a sick person)

2

: to be on the alert or on the lookout

3

: to keep guard

watch outside the door

4

: to keep one's eyes on : keep in view

watch a game

5

: to keep in view so as to prevent harm or warn of danger

watch a brush fire carefully

6

: to keep oneself informed about

watch his career

7

: to be on the alert for the chance to make use of

watched her opportunity and took it

watcher noun

watch

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend

b

: a state of alert and continuous attention

a tornado watch

c

: close observation

kept a watch over the prisoner

2

a

: watchman

b

: a body of watchmen

3

a

: a period during which a part of a ship's company is on duty

b

: the part of a ship's company on duty during a watch

4

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