1a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray:my birdwatching vigils lasted for hoursas he lay in a coma the family kept vigil
a stationary, peaceful demonstration in support of a particular cause, typically without speeches:the group held a candlelight vigil outside the jail
2(in the Christian Church) the eve of a festival or holy day as an occasion of religious observance.
