Definitions for watchwɒtʃ

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

watchwɒtʃ(v.i.)

to look attentively, as to see what is done or happens; observe.
to wait attentively and expectantly (usu. fol. by for):
to watch for a signal.
to be careful or cautious:
Watch when you cross the street.
to keep awake, esp. for a purpose; remain vigilant.
to keep vigil, as for devotional purposes.
to keep guard:
to watch at the door.
(v.t.)to view attentively or with interest:
to watch a football game.
to contemplate or regard mentally:
to watch a student's progress.
to wait attentively and expectantly for:
to watch one's opportunity.
to guard or tend:
to watch the baby.
watch out, to be cautious.
Category: Verb Phrase
watch over, to safeguard; protect.
Category: Verb Phrase
(n.)close, continuous observation for the purpose of seeing or discovering something.
vigilant guard, as for protection or restraint:
to keep watch for prowlers.
a keeping awake for some special purpose:
a watch beside a sickbed.
a small, portable timepiece, as a wristwatch or pocket watch.
Category: Horology
a chronometer.
Category: Horology
a period of time, usu. four hours, during which one part of a ship's crew is on duty, taking turns with another part. the officers and crew who attend to the working of a ship for an allotted period of time.
Category: Navy, Nautical
one of the periods, usu. three or four, into which the night was divided in ancient times, as by the Greeks or Hebrews:
the fourth watch of the night.
Category: Antiquities
a lookout, guard, or sentinel:
A watch was posted at sunset.

Idioms for watch:

on the watch, vigilant; alert:
a hunter on the watch for game.
Category: Idiom
watch oneself, to practice caution, discretion, or self-restraint.
Category: Idiom

Origin of watch:

bef. 900; ME wacchen, OE wæccan, doublet of wacian to be awake (see wake1)

Princeton's WordNet

watch, ticker(noun)
a small portable timepiece
watch(noun)
a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
watch, vigil(noun)
a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
watch(noun)
the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
lookout, lookout man, sentinel, sentry, watch, spotter, scout, picket(noun)
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
vigil, watch(verb)
the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
watch(verb)
look attentively
"watch a basketball game"
watch, observe, follow, watch over, keep an eye on(verb)
follow with the eyes or the mind
"Keep an eye on the baby, please!"; "The world is watching Sarajevo"; "She followed the men with the binoculars"
watch, view, see, catch, take in(verb)
see or watch
"view a show on television"; "This program will be seen all over the world"; "view an exhibition"; "Catch a show on Broadway"; "see a movie"
watch, look on(verb)
observe with attention
"They watched as the murderer was executed"
watch, look out, watch out(verb)
be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful
"Watch out for pickpockets!"
watch(verb)
observe or determine by looking
"Watch how the dog chases the cats away"
determine, check, find out, see, ascertain, watch, learn(verb)
find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
"I want to see whether she speaks French"; "See whether it works"; "find out if he speaks Russian"; "Check whether the train leaves on time"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

watch(verb)ɒtʃ
to look at sth that is happening
They watched the balloon fly away.; I watched them talking together.; The flames grew higher as they watched.
watchɒtʃ
to take care of
She's watching the house for us while we're gone.
watchɒtʃ
to be careful
Watch that branch in the road.; Watch that you don't hit him.; You have to watch where you're going.
watchɒtʃ
used to warn sb to be careful
Watch it, it's going to fall!; You'd better watch it - you're spending a lot of money.
watch(noun)ɒtʃ
a device you wear on your wrist that shows the time
She looked at her watch.
watchɒtʃ
the activity of watching to find out what happens or to prevent problems
watchɒtʃ
to guard
soldiers keeping watch outside
watchɒtʃ
to watch carefully
doctors keeping a close watch on the patient

Wiktionary

watch(Noun)
A portable or wearable timepiece.
More people today carry a watch on their wrists than in their pockets.
watch(Noun)
A particular time period when guarding is kept.
The second watch of the night began at midnight.
watch(Noun)
A person or group of people who guard.
The watch stopped the travelers at the city gates.
watch(Noun)
A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
watch(Noun)
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 55501).
watch(Noun)
The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.
watch(Verb)
To be awake.
watch(Verb)
To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
watch(Verb)
To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
watch(Verb)
To mind, attend, or guard.
watch(Verb)
To be wary or cautious of.
You should watch that guy. He has a reputation for lying.
watch(Verb)
To attend to dangers to or regarding.
watch(Verb)
To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil
watch(Verb)
To be vigilant or on one's guard
For some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.
watch(Verb)
To act as a lookout
watch(Noun)
Plural form of watchman.

Webster Dictionary

Watch(verb)
the act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night
Watch(verb)
one who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard
Watch(verb)
the post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept
Watch(verb)
the period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night
Watch(verb)
a small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring
Watch(noun)
an allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch
Watch(noun)
that part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard watch
Watch(verb)
to be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil
Watch(verb)
to be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel
Watch(verb)
to be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity
Watch(verb)
to remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever
Watch(verb)
to serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; -- said of a buoy
Watch(verb)
to give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature
Watch(verb)
to tend; to guard; to have in keeping