watch for

phrasal verb

watched for; watching for; watches for
1
: to look for (someone or something expected)
She watches for her school bus from inside her house.
The doctors watched for signs of the disease.
2
: to look for (something that one wants to get or use)
She is always watching for sales.

Examples of watch for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Green and blue-toned countertops, in particular, are a trend designers say to watch for in the new year. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026 Villagers learned to watch for and report new cases — often for rewards of $100 or more. Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026 When scanning the ingredient list and nutrition label, these are the biggest red flags to watch for, according to both experts. Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026 Neighbors are patrolling Minneapolis' streets, watching for unmarked vehicles. David Ostendorf, Time, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watch for

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watch for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watch%20for. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on watch for

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!