watch

Meanings

Plural: watch, watched, watches

Noun

• a small portable timepiece
• a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
• a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
• the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
• a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
• the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
• A portable or wearable timepiece.
• The act of guarding and observing someone or something.
• A particular time period when guarding is kept.
• A period of wakefulness between the two sleeps of a biphasic sleep pattern (the dead sleep or first sleep and morning sleep or second sleep): the first waking.
• A person or group of people who guard.
• The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
• A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
• A period of time on duty, usually four hours in length; the officers and crew who tend the working of a vessel during the same watch. (FM 55–501).
• The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.

Verb

• look attentively
  • "watch a basketball game"
• follow with the eyes or the mind
  • "The world is watching Sarajevo"
• see or watch
• observe with attention
  • "They watched as the murderer was executed"
• be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful
  • "Watch out for pickpockets!"
• observe or determine by looking
  • "Watch how the dog chases the cats away"
• find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
• To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
• To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
• To mind, attend, or guard.
• To be wary or cautious of.
• To attend to dangers to or regarding.
• To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil.
• To be vigilant or on one's guard.
• To act as a lookout.
• To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place.
• To be awake.
• To be on the lookout for; to wait for expectantly.

Synonyms

ascertain, catch, check, determine, find out, follow, keep an eye on, learn, look on, look out, lookout, lookout man, observe, picket, scout, see, sentinel, sentry, spotter, take in, ticker, view, vigil, watch out, watch over

Antonyms

ignore

Related Words

wait, wake