watcher

noun

watch·​er ˈwä-chər 

ˈwȯ-

: one that watches: such as

a

: one that sits up or continues awake at night

b

: watchman

c(1)

: one that keeps watch beside a dead person

(2)

: one that attends a sick person at night

d

: a person who closely follows or observes someone or something

a Supreme Court watcher

—often used in combination

celebrity-watchers

e

: a representative of a party or candidate who is stationed at the polls on an election day to watch the conduct of officials and voters

Synonyms of watcher

• guardian
• custodian
• guard
• keeper
• warden
• sentinel
• watch
• observer

Examples of watcher in a Sentence

the inexperienced babysitter turned out to be a well-meaning but hopelessly incompetent watcher of young children

a safari that affords wildlife watchers plenty of opportunities to see Africa's grandest creatures in their natural habitat

Recent Examples on the Web

Trade watchers are waiting for Tuesday’s elections to pass to ascertain whether a US-Canada deal is actually imminent. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The work would remain visible to the public, with a closer view available to authorized poll watchers and others permitted in the restricted area. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

There’s challengers, observers and watchers at polling places. — Joe Wicke, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026

These elections will be fine with federal watchers inside or outside the polling centers. — Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher
• fire watcher