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 of watcher

• 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

Market watchers will be keeping an eye on the developments in Iran this week after widespread protests were met with a violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities. —Tasmin Lockwood,hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026

Rubio sat on the board of the International Republican Institute, which provided training to fledgling democracies, teaching candidates how to campaign and poll watchers how to observe elections. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Fed watchers say Trump’s attacks on the institution could make officials who are on the fence about a rate cut reluctant to be seen as doing the president’s bidding. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

The most notable person not included on the shortlist is Brazilian actor Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent, who Oscar watchers think will be nominated for Best Actor. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher