vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvi-jəl 

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

Synonyms of vigil

• watch
• surveillance

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

But Joshua Duckett still holds annual vigils in the belief that Trenton, who would now be 21 years old, will come home someday. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026

Maybe have a candlelight vigil. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026

After dozens of complaints filed against an unruly neighbor over the course of eight years resulted in fatal gunfire, Northland residents showed their support for the Maple Woods Estates neighborhood by placing flowers at a small memorial and wearing Chiefs gear at a candlelight vigil. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

But standing under the trunk of her car, the door hanging above her head to block the rain, was Reverend Dallas Ann Thompson, handing out vigil service bulletins and smiling as people slowly formed a circle around her. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing vigil

• keep vigil
• vigil light

Kids Definition

vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvij-əl 

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