night watchman
Americannoun
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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.
noun
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Also called: night watch. a person who keeps guard at night on a factory, public building, etc
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cricket a batsman sent in to bat to play out time when a wicket has fallen near the end of a day's play
Etymology
Origin of night watchman
First recorded in 1860–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reyne took over as night watchman, with his tent on the asphalt in the parking lot behind.
From Slate ● Mar. 25, 2026
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
It was while working as a night watchman on a dive boat that Reginald was encouraged to venture into the water.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2023
The National Transportation Safety Board blamed Boylan for the tragedy, saying his failure to post a roving night watchman allowed the fire to quickly spread undetected, trapping the 33 passengers and one crew member below.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 24, 2023
I started work immediately as a night watchman.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
