vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvi-jəl How to pronounce vigil (audio)
1
: the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary
also : a period of wakefulness
2
: an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night
a candlelight vigil
kept vigil at her bedside
3
a
: a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions
b
: the day before a religious feast observed as a day of spiritual preparation
c
: evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers
usually used in plural

Examples of vigil in a Sentence

kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Tel Aviv, silent vigils mourn Gaza’s children—absent, yet achingly present in large-scale photographs. Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 Tel Aviv activists hold silent vigils mourning Gaza’s children, confronting public hostility with quiet resilience. Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025 Past disasters have left a painful mark for many, but they’re connected by strong community ties and have come together at vigils to honor and pray for the victims. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 Community left stunned, vigil created for victims Photos posted by WSAV on Facebook show a vigil outside of Willie's Bar and Grill to pay tribute to the victims. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigil

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigile, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin vigilia watch on the eve of a feast, from Latin, wakefulness, watch, from vigil awake, watchful; akin to Latin vigēre to be vigorous, vegēre to enliven — more at wake

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vigil was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigil. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

vigil

noun
vig·​il ˈvij-əl How to pronounce vigil (audio)
1
a
: the day before a religious feast
b
: prayers or religious services held in the evening or at night
usually used in plural
2
: an act or period of staying awake at times when one normally would be sleeping
an all-night vigil spent awaiting her return
3
: an act or period of attentive watching : watch
kept vigil at the bedside of his ill son

More from Merriam-Webster on vigil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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