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

• lookout
• surveillance
• watch

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

Here's how Drew and Grahm Kimball were honored at the vigil four days after the crash. Music, prayer and bubbles. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 Nov. 2024

As the fandom gathers at vigils to mourn, others have aimed their anger at Henry, who has deactivated comments after an onslaught of abuse. —Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Along with grief and remembrance, a call to action Saturday’s border vigil in El Paso and Juarez will feature a recitation of the names of people identified who have died this year in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s El Paso sector. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Topline Fans of Liam Payne, the 31-year-old former member of One Direction who unexpectedly died at a hotel in Argentina last week, honored the singer with vigils throughout Europe and Argentina over the weekend. —Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

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