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

The Republican National Committee said it's already recruited a record number of poll watchers. — Nicholas Riccardi, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Market-watchers widely expect the Federal Reserve to boost the target federal funds rate by one-quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday amid rising oil prices and the ongoing war with Iran. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

That sort of whipped, inswinging ball from Slater that caused so much havoc is hugely familiar to avid Premier League watchers. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The Republican National Committee said it’s already recruited a record number of poll watchers. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher
• fire watcher