1a small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one’s wrist:my watch had stopped
2 [usually in singular] an act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time:the security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities
a period during which a person is stationed to look out for danger or trouble, typically at night:Murray took the last watch before dawn
a fixed period of duty on a ship, usually lasting four hours:sea air, lots of exercise, and four-hour watches give everyone a healthy appetite
(also starboard or port watch) the officers and crew on duty during a watch.
a shift worked by firefighters or police officers:the men of Red Watch at Kingsland Fire Station
(the watch) historical a watchman or group of watchmen who patrolled and guarded the streets of a town before the introduction of the police force:the woman, with a piercing shriek, called the watch
3 [in singular with adjective] informal a film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public:this movie’s an engrossing watch
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] look at or observe attentively over a period of time:Lucy watched him go [no object]:as she watched, two women came into the garden [with clause]:everyone stopped to watch what was going on
keep under careful, protective, or secret observation:there aren’t enough staff to watch him properlyhe told me my telephones were tapped and that I was being watched
[no object] (watch over) observe and guard in a protective way:I guess I can rest a while, with you here to watch over me
follow closely or maintain an interest in:the girls watched the development of this relationship with incredulity
2 [with object] exercise care, caution, or restraint about:most women watch their diet during pregnancy [with clause]:you should watch what you say!
[no object] (watch for) look out or be on the alert for:in spring and summer, watch for kingfisherswatch out for broken glass
[no object, usually in imperative] (usually watch out) be careful:credit-card fraud is on the increase, so watch out
(watch it/yourself) [usually in imperative] informal be careful (used as a warning or threat):if anyone finds out, you’re dead meat, so watch it
3 [no object] archaic remain awake for the purpose of religious observance:she watched whole nights in the church
be on the watch
be on the alert for something, especially a possible danger:he was already on the watch for any more suspicious moves
keep watch
stay on the lookout for danger or trouble:at the mouth of the stream, two young sentries kept watch
watch one's (or someone's) back
protect oneself (or someone else) against danger from an unexpected quarter:life’s too short to have to watch your back all the timeI’ll watch your back at this end—you can count on me
