night watch

noun

1. a watch or guard kept during the night.
2. a person or the persons keeping such a watch.
3. Usually night watches. the periods or divisions into which the night was divided in ancient times.

night watch

noun

1. a watch or guard kept at night, esp for security
2. the period of time the watch is kept
3. a person who keeps such a watch; night watchman

Other Words From

• night watching noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of night watch¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

Since that night-watch at Pine Tree Ranch, he had been a different man.

From Project Gutenberg

The herald, as usual, constituted himself a night-watch, and perched upon the newly made mound.

From Project Gutenberg

Hildebrand has the watch on the tower—a heavy-headed knave, who holds a can of ale to be the best headpiece upon a night-watch.

From Project Gutenberg

It was, however, a serious matter for us that we were deprived of our night-watch in districts where we had most need of them.

From Project Gutenberg

The sailor, in his lonely night-watch, looks homeward, and well known voices come to him amidst the roar of the waves.

From Project Gutenberg