night watchman

American  

Or night-watchman

noun

1. watchman.

2. 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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night watchman British  

noun

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of night watchman

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

At the time of the record destruction, which was revealed by a night watchman who saw it happening and saved some documents, UBS was under scrutiny for its wartime activities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

A night watchman alone would not make or break a new development, but this is one of many such provisions, often motivated by fire safety, that stack up in the code every three years.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2025

Last month, Richard Abath, the night watchman who mistakenly allowed in the thieves, died at 57.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Prosecutors said the captain failed to have a night watchman or conduct fire drills as required by law.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2023

Elizabeth had, of course, been invited before by other people—the night watchman, for example—but she had always said no.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin