keep watch

Idioms  

1. Also,; watch over. Observe with continuous attention, especially to act as a sentinel or for protection. For example, Afraid that the wolves would return, she kept watch while the others slept, or They kept a close watch on the harbor, looking for signs of enemy ships, or, according to the Gospel of St. Luke (2:8): “And there were in the same country shepherds ... keeping watch over their flock by night.” [Late 1300s] Also see keep an eye out for.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

keep watch

Dozens of Wisconsinites volunteer each spring to keep watch against poachers as the sturgeon make their way upriver to spawn; thousands more come to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026

To keep watch for rustlers, Brittain scans the classified ads in the back of Livestock Weekly for ones that look suspicious.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

Monroe coach Leo Hernandez said he got his position in 1999 because he could run with his athletes to keep watch over them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

They had considered giving that guy money to keep watch.

From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2025

She had sat in the corner of my side of the room to keep watch over me and Amil.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard