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

For decades, oil market watchers have worried about the closure of the strait as a worst-case scenario. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

Helium has emerged as a key focus for the tech sector as industry watchers cast their minds to the implications of a prolonged Iran war. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026

Cuba watchers have had decades to get used to this charade. —Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

Figuring out how to collect money from cam watchers and fans in general was always Radvinsky’s superpower as a businessman. —Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher
• fire watcher