to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens

to watch while an experiment is performed.

to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually fol. by for )

to watch for a signal; to watch for an opportunity.

to be careful or cautious

Watch when you cross the street.

to keep awake, esp. for a purpose; remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping

to watch with a sick person.

to keep vigil, as for devotional purposes.

to keep guard

She was assigned to watch at the door.

to keep under attentive view or observation, as in order to see or learn something; view attentively or with interest

to watch a play; to watch a football game.

to contemplate or regard mentally

to watch his progress.

to look or wait attentively and expectantly for

to watch one's opportunity.

to guard, tend, or oversee, esp. for protection or safekeeping

to watch the baby.

close, continuous observation for the purpose of seeing or discovering something

Their watch for the birds was unrewarding.

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 period of time for watching or keeping guard

to stand the first watch.

a small, portable timepiece, as a wrist watch or pocket watch.

a chronometer.

Nautical .

a period of time, usually 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.

one of the periods, usually three or four, into which the night was divided in ancient times, as by the Greeks or Hebrews

the fourth watch of the night.

a person or group that watches, as a lookout, guard, or sentinel

A watch was posted at sunset.

Also called storm watch. Meteorology . an announcement from the U.S. National Weather Service alerting the public that dangerous weather conditions are a possibility and that vigilance and precautionary preparations are advised

hurricane watch, tornado watch. Compare advisory def. 5 warning def. 3

a flock of nightingales. ?

watch out, to be on one's guard; be cautious

Watch out for cars when you cross the road.

watch over, to guard for protection or safekeeping

She watched over us like a mother hen over her brood.

on the watch

vigilant; alert

The hunter was on the watch for game.

watch oneself

to be cautious.

to practice discretion or self-restraint.

verb

watch