night watchman

or night-watchman

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noun

Cricket. a batsman who is sent in to bat just before the end of a day's play and continues his innings on the next day of play.

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Origin of night watchman

First recorded in 1860–65

Words nearby night watchman

nighttide, nighttime, night vision, nightwalker, night watch, night watchman, nightwear, nighty, nighty-night, nigiri, nigrescent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use night watchman in a sentence

With jobs in short supply, he worked as a night watchman in an oil plant, where he began teaching himself engineering and design by reading technical reports that were lying on the president’s desk.
Extraterrestrial engineering|Katie McLean|February 24, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The night-watchman had sunk into log-like slumber, and the meteorologist and his merry men were making preparations to go abroad.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
Every one is too busy to notice the storeman, for, like the night-watchman, his day is over and he must find another job.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
Such "perks," or perquisites, were the property of the presiding cook or night-watchman and rarely survived for more than a day.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

The only way in which the night-watchman could keep the hourly observations was to dig his way out frequently with a shovel.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
At sunset he goes home, being relieved by the night-watchman, who remains on duty till sunrise.
Life and sport in China|Oliver G. Ready

British Dictionary definitions for night watchman

night watchman

noun

Also called: night watch a person who keeps guard at night on a factory, public building, etc

cricket a batsman sent in to bat to play out time when a wicket has fallen near the end of a day's play

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012