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

When the Sunday vigil began last year, about 15 people would show up each week, said Jeane Wong, a volunteer with the San Diego Bike Brigade. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

The memorials are the site of candlelight vigils and musical performances and draw a regular stream of visitors. —Jack Brook, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026

Rudzena and his church Good Shepherd New York, which Savannah Guthrie attended and Nancy joined online from Arizona, held a prayer vigil for Savannah Guthrie's mother last week. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

Sather said the vigil was planned by the New Hope Peaceful Synergy Group, which was formed shortly before New Hope opened and aims to achieve balance between people’s work for justice and their personal and spiritual lives. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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