First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1watch
verb \ˈwäch, ˈwȯch\
: to look at (someone or something) for an amount of time and pay attention to what is happening
: to give your attention to (a situation, an event, etc.)
: to care for (someone or something) for a period of time in order to make sure that nothing bad or unwanted happens
Full Definition of WATCH
intransitive verb
1
a : to keep vigil as a devotional exercise b : to be awake during the night
2
a : to be attentive or vigilant b : to keep guard
3
a : to keep someone or something under close observation b : to observe as a spectator <the country watched as stocks fell sharply>
4
: to be expectant : wait <watch for the signal>
transitive verb
1
: to keep under guard
2
a : to observe closely in order to check on action or change <being watched by the police> b : to look at : observe <sat and watched the crowd> c : to look on at <watch television> <watch a ball game>
3
a : to take care of : tend b : to be careful of <watches his diet>
4
: to be on the alert for : bide <watched her opportunity>
— watch it
: look out : be careful <watch it when you handle the glassware>
— watch one's step
: to proceed with extreme care : act or talk warily
— watch over
: to have charge of : superintend
See watch defined for English-language learners
See watch defined for kids
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Origin of WATCH
Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæccan — more at wake
2watch
noun
: a device that shows what time it is and that you wear on your wrist or carry in a pocket
: the act of giving your attention to someone or something especially in order to make sure that nothing bad or unwanted happens
: the act of looking for someone or something that you expect to see : the act of regularly checking to see if someone has arrived or if something has appeared or happened
Full Definition of WATCH
1
a : the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend b obsolete : the state of being wakeful c : a wake over a dead body d : a state of alert and continuous attention e : close observation : surveillance f : a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to the possibility of severe weather conditions occurring in the near future <a winter storm watch>
2
a : any of the definite divisions of the night made by ancient peoples b : one of the indeterminate intervals marking the passage of night —usually used in plural <the silent watches of the night>
4
5
a (1) : a portion of time during which a part of a ship's company is on duty (2) : the part of a ship's company required to be on duty during a particular watch (3) : a sailor's assigned duty period b : a period of duty : shift c : a term as holder especially of an overseeing or managerial office <the business grew on her watch>
6
: a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket — compare clock
See watch defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WATCH
before 12th century
Related to WATCH
WATCH OVER Defined for Kids
1watch
verb \ˈwäch\
watchedwatch·ing
Definition of WATCH for Kids
1
: to keep in view <Did you watch the game?>
2
: to be on the lookout <I'm watching for a signal.>
3
: to take care of : tend <Watch the house until I get back.>
4
: to be careful of <Watch your step.>
5
: to keep guard <Watch outside the door.>
6
: to stay awake <She watched at the sick child's bedside.>
— watch·er noun
— watch out
: to be aware of and ready for <Remember to watch out for broken glass.>
2watch
noun
Definition of WATCH for Kids
1
: a small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried
2
: close observation
3
: 1guard 1
4
: the time during which someone is on duty to guard or be on the lookout
5
: an act of keeping awake to guard or protect
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