vigil

American  

[vij-uhl] / ˈvɪdʒ əl /

noun

• vigils
  plural

1. wakefulness or watchfulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping.

   They passed many hours in vigil.

2. a watch or a period of watchful attention maintained at night or at other times.

   The nurse kept her vigil at the bedside of the dying man.

3. a quiet demonstration to support a cause, protest an injustice, honor the dead, etc..

   A candlelight vigil in remembrance of the two fallen officers will be held tonight at sundown.

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. Sometimes vigils a nocturnal devotional exercise or service, especially on the eve before a church festival.

      The Easter vigil reflects on the holy sacraments as well as the resurrection and ascension of Christ.

   2. the eve, or day and night, before a church festival, especially an eve that is a fast.

5. a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.

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vigil British  

/ ˈvɪdʒɪl /

noun

1. a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc

2. the period of such a watch

3. RC Church Church of England the eve of certain major festivals, formerly observed as a night spent in prayer: often marked by fasting and abstinence and a special Mass and divine office

4. a period of sleeplessness; insomnia

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vigils
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vigil

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English vigil(i)e, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin vigilia “eve of a holy day,” special use of Latin vigilia “watchfulness,” equivalent to vigil “sentry” + -ia -y ³

Explanation

A vigil is when you stay alert to guard something, as when you keep vigil over your hen house when the foxes are out. A vigil can also be solemn, as when a candlelight vigil is held for victims of a tragedy. Vigil comes from the Latin word for "awake," and all its meanings include the idea of watchfulness. If you're attending a vigil or keeping vigil, you shouldn't expect to take a nap. The vigil is an apt kind of demonstration for peace movements, as it's calm, non-violent, and solemn, with participants standing quietly — sometimes holding candles.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vigil vigils

Only a dozen people had gathered around 20 minutes into the vigil.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

The booming rock ballad Don't Look Back in Anger also took on a greater significance after it was sung, impromptu, at a vigil for those who lost their lives in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

A candlelight vigil was also held at a newly crafted mural not far from where Salgado Araujo was shot on Canal Street.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

“I never lost hope,” said Franyimar González, 32, Gil’s wife, who held daily vigil outside the entrance of the parking structure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

After his death, her father and mother sat vigil beside his still little body all night.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo

Much of the overtime money the department spent went instead toward preparing for unrest, monitoring protests and vigils, guarding hotels housing federal agents, and managing the public response to federal violence.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

Voice, a multifaith coalition that organized several vigils and demonstrations when the raids were at their height.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Silent prayer vigils, cautiously worded protest banners and T-shirts pleading for neighbourhoods to be spared -- Hanoi residents are showing rare public opposition to a massive redevelopment scheme that could displace hundreds of thousands.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

Across Orlando and beyond, vigils, church services and private ceremonies have been held to honor the victims of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026

Private vigils held at night, made more private because they were expressions of public lunacy.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• observance
• patrol