vigilance

vig·i·lance | \ ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s

How to pronounce vigilance (audio)

\

Definition of vigilance

: the quality or state of being vigilant

Other Words from vigilance Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about vigilance

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of vigilance in a Sentence

eternal vigilance is the price of freedom

Recent Examples on the Web To avoid burning the food, this requires more vigilance than you might normally be used to; be prepared to move the food around to ensure even browning and thorough cooking. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Your Ultimate Grill Buying Guide—Tested and Approved," 8 Sep. 2020 Many 9/11 monuments in the U.S., for example, serve both to remember and honor victims of the attacks while promoting national vigilance. — Alan Marcus, The Conversation, "Monuments ‘expire’ – but offensive monuments can become powerful history lessons," 4 Sep. 2020 Well-organized, armed vigilance committees were formed by free blacks with and without the assistance of white supporters. — R.h. Lossin, The New York Review of Books, "The Revolutionary Thoreau," 4 Sep. 2020 With Labor Day weekend approaching, however, officials urged individuals to maintain vigilance amid the pandemic and continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. — Marc Ramirez, Dallas News, "Despite lower COVID-19 risk level, Dallas County officials advise vigilance as holiday weekend approaches," 2 Sep. 2020 But Italy also largely brought infections under control with a rigid lockdown and continued vigilance — measures that festival organizers have embraced and enhanced. — Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, "Venice opens 'miraculous' film festival, but veterans lament," 2 Sep. 2020 But for coronavirus protection, Redfield continues to stress vigilance about wearing masks, keeping your distance, avoiding crowds and washing your hands. — Andrew Meldrum, chicagotribune.com, "COVID-19 lockdowns blocked the flu in some places — but fall looms," 26 Aug. 2020 Once it's established, reining in this aggressive spreader requires relentless vigilance. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, "6 Pretty but Troublesome Perennials Never to Plant in Your Garden," 25 Aug. 2020 This constant vigilance leaves locals with a sense of unease; of grief. — Yxta Maya Murray, Longreads, "Fire/Flood: A Southern California Pastoral," 19 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vigilance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about vigilance

Dictionary Entries near vigilance

vigesimo-quarto

vigilance committee

Statistics for vigilance

Last Updated

16 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Vigilance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigilance. Accessed 20 Sep. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for vigilance

vigilance

vig·i·lance | \ ˈvi-jə-ləns

\

Kids Definition of vigilance

: the quality or state of staying alert especially to possible danger The guards maintained their vigilance in watching for intruders.

vigilance

vig·i·lance | \ ˈvij-ə-lən(t)s

\

Medical Definition of vigilance

: the quality or state of being wakeful and alert : degree of wakefulness or responsiveness to stimuli

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

ubiquitous

Listen to the pronunciation of ubiquitous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.

pole pol
poal poll

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.