watch
/wɒt͡ʃ/ · watch
noun
- A portable or wearable timepiece used to indicate the time of day. She glanced at her watch to see that the meeting would start in five minutes.
- The act of guarding, observing, or keeping surveillance over someone or something. The security guard kept watch over the museum's priceless paintings throughout the night.
- A specific period of time during which a guard or watch is kept. The second watch of the night began at midnight and lasted until three a.m.
verb
- To look at or observe attentively. He likes to watch the sunrise from the hilltop.
- To keep guard over or protect. The soldiers were ordered to watch the perimeter for any signs of intrusion.
- To monitor or keep track of something over time. She watches the stock market closely to decide when to buy shares.
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Did you know? The first wristwatch was created for Hungarian Countess Koscowicz in 1868, but wristwatches only became popular after World War I when soldiers found pocket watches impractical.