Definition of: watch

(woch) v.i.
1. To be constantly on the alert; give earnest heed; be observant, vigilant, or attentive.
2. To look attentively; observe.
3. To wait expectantly for something; be in a state of expectation: with for.
4. To do duty as a guard or sentinel; serve as a watchman.
5. To have in one's care or keeping; guard; tend.
6. To be awake; go without sleep; keep vigil.
—v.t.
7. To keep under observation; look at steadily and attentively; observe.
8. To follow the course of mentally; keep informed concerning.
9. To be alert for; wait for expectantly: to watch one's opportunity.
10. To keep watch over; guard. See synonyms under ABIDE, LOOK.
—noun
1. The act of watching; wakefulness with close and continuous attention; careful observation; vigil.
2. One of the divisions of the night made in ancient times: with the Hebrews, one third; with the Romans, one fourth; hence, any indefinite waking period which marks the passage of the night.
3. Position or service as a guard or sentry.
4. Obs. Vigilance; a vigil; wake.
5. One or more persons set to watch; a watchman or set of watchmen; sentinel; guard.
6. The place occupied by or assigned to a guard.
7. The period of time during which a guard is on duty.
8. Naut. a One of the two divisions of a ship's officers and crew, performing duty in alternation. b The period of time during which each division is on duty: four hours, except the dog–watches, from 4 to 6 and from 6 to 8 p.m., which are interposed daily to shift night duty from one watch to the other alternately.
9. A small, portable timepiece, actuated by a coiled spring, for keeping and indicating time.
10. Obs. A candle marked into equal sections, each of which burns a known length of time.
11. Obs. The cry of a watchman.
12. Obs. Wakefulness; the state of staying or being awake. See synonyms under OVERSIGHT. [OE waeccan. Akin to WAKE¹.]