vigilance

[vij-uh-luhns]

noun

1. state or quality of being vigilant; watchfulness.

   Vigilance is required in the event of treachery.

   Synonyms: care, concern, heedfulness, attention, alertness

2. Pathology.,  insomnia.

vigilance

/ ˈvɪdʒɪləns /

noun

1. the fact, quality, or condition of being vigilant

2. the abnormal state or condition of being unable to sleep

Other Word Forms

• hypervigilance noun
• nonvigilance noun
• previgilance noun
• supervigilance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigilance¹

First recorded in 1560–70; alteration ( -ance for -ancy ) of obsolete vigilancy, from Latin vigilantia; vigilant, -ancy

Example Sentences

Constant vigilance and worry put children at greater risk of developing chronic anxiety and depression.

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Instead, we might pause and recognize ways to exercise more vigilance about the ways some people are treated differently from others.

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While celebrating the launch of gas exports from the facility in April 2025, the energy minister called for "continuous vigilance to guarantee the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of economic benefits for the population".

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Defence ministers from 10 EU countries have agreed to create a "drone wall" in response to the sightings, and Nato says it has "enhanced vigilance" across the Baltic.

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The Irish Government says it maintains a "continuous presence and vigilance" within its maritime domain.

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Related Words

• alertness www.thesaurus.com
• caution 
• diligence 
• surveillance 

When To Use

What does vigilance mean?

Vigilance is the state of being watchful or alert for danger or some other kind of trouble.Vigilance is the noun form of the adjective vigilant, meaning watchful or alert.Vigilance is often used when talking about keeping something out or in—whether that means keeping mistakes out of your work, robbers out of your home, or the dog inside the house.In a medical context, vigilance is sometimes used as a synonym for insomnia—the state of being unable to sleep.Example: We must be vigilant if we want to protect our home from invaders.