watch

1 of 2

verb

ˈwäch How to pronounce watch (audio)
ˈwȯch
watched; watching; watches

intransitive verb

1
a
: to keep vigil as a devotional exercise
b
: to be awake during the night
2
a
: to be attentive or vigilant
b
: to keep guard
3
a
: to keep someone or something under close observation
b
: to observe as a spectator
the country watched as stocks fell sharply
4
: to be expectant : wait
watch for the signal

transitive verb

1
: to keep under guard
2
a
: to observe closely in order to check on action or change
being watched by the police
b
: to look at : observe
sat and watched the crowd
c
: to look on at
watch television
watch a ball game
3
a
: to take care of : tend
b
: to be careful of
watches his diet
4
: to be on the alert for : bide
watched her opportunity

watch

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend
b
obsolete : the state of being wakeful
c
: a wake over a dead body
d
: a state of alert and continuous attention
e
: close observation : surveillance
f
: a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to the possibility of severe weather conditions occurring in the near future
a winter storm watch
2
a
: any of the definite divisions of the night made by ancient peoples
b
: one of the indeterminate intervals marking the passage of night
usually used in plural
the silent watches of the night
3
b
archaic : the office or function of a sentinel or guard
4
a
: a body of soldiers or sentinels making up a guard
b
: a watchman or body of watchmen formerly assigned to patrol the streets of a town at night, announce the hours, and act as police
5
a(1)
: a portion of time during which a part of a ship's company is on duty
(2)
: the part of a ship's company required to be on duty during a particular watch
(3)
: a sailor's assigned duty period
b
: a period of duty : shift
c
: a term as holder especially of an overseeing or managerial office
the business grew on her watch
6
: a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket compare clock
Phrases
watch it
: look out : be careful
watch it when you handle the glassware
watch one's step
: to proceed with extreme care : act or talk warily
watch over
: to have charge of : superintend

Examples of watch in a Sentence

Verb They have a rookie on the team who is fun to watch. I fell asleep watching television. What movie are you watching? “Mom, watch me do a cartwheel!” She sat and watched the children play. “Would you like to play, too?” “No, I'll just watch.” Just sit back and watch. Keep watching to see what happens next. “What happens next?” “Watch and see.” People are watching this presidential race very carefully. Noun He glanced at his watch. When you're driving in winter you should always be on the watch for ice on the roads.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
When Your Luggage Is Missing in Action What’s sadder than watching a baggage carousel loop around endlessly without your suitcases on it? Erica Lamberg, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 Most of the 40 million or more estimated to watch Tuesday night’s debate will probably be viewing to cheer on their preferred candidate, said Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
Noun
The National Hurricane Center started issuing an experimental version of the cone in 2024 (map above) that includes watches and warnings. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 No other watches or warnings were issued for the region, though flood warnings and hazardous weather outlooks were still in effect for neighboring counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for watch 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'watch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæccan — more at wake

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of watch was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near watch

Cite this Entry

“Watch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watch. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

watch

1 of 2 verb
ˈwäch How to pronounce watch (audio)
ˈwȯch
1
: to stay awake especially during the night (as at the bedside of a sick person)
2
: to be on the alert or on the lookout
3
: to keep guard
watch outside the door
4
: to keep one's eyes on : keep in view
watch a game
5
: to keep in view so as to prevent harm or warn of danger
watch a brush fire carefully
6
: to keep oneself informed about
watch his career
7
: to be on the alert for the chance to make use of
watched her opportunity and took it
watcher noun

watch

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend
b
: a state of alert and continuous attention
a tornado watch
c
: close observation
kept a watch over the prisoner
2
a
b
: a body of watchmen
3
a
: a period during which a part of a ship's company is on duty
b
: the part of a ship's company on duty during a watch
4
: a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket

More from Merriam-Webster on watch

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