vigilance

noun

vig·​i·​lance ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s How to pronounce vigilance (audio)
: the quality or state of being vigilant

Examples of vigilance in a Sentence

eternal vigilance is the price of freedom
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.
Or will Europe’s deliberative vigilance save humanity from handing over the keys of the kingdom to intelligent machines? Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025 For Tiki and her owner, the McDonald's mission ended with a successful, albeit costly, lesson in canine vigilance. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Organizations must treat the surfaces exposed by their service providers and SaaS integrations with as much vigilance as their own core systems. FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Speakers stressed prevention through vigilance, training and law enforcement partnerships. Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigilance

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vigilance was in 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Vigilance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigilance. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

vigilance

noun
vig·​i·​lance ˈvij-ə-lən(t)s How to pronounce vigilance (audio)
: the quality or state of being vigilant

Medical Definition

vigilance

noun
vig·​i·​lance ˈvij-ə-lən(t)s How to pronounce vigilance (audio)
: the quality or state of being wakeful and alert : degree of wakefulness or responsiveness to stimuli
vigilant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on vigilance

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