overwatch

American  

[oh-ver-woch] / ˌoʊ vərˈwɒtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to watch over.

2. Archaic. to weary by keeping awake.

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overwatch British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈwɒtʃ /

verb

1. to watch over

2. archaic to fatigue with long watching or lack of sleep

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Other Word Forms

• overwatcher noun

Etymology

Origin of overwatch

First recorded in 1555–65; over- + watch

Example Sentences

There’s also more unseen security being deployed including cameras and overwatch by officers and federal agents than in decades past.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Before, during and after the mission, US Space Force Guardians of Delta 7 were providing overwatch.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025

“The breath of the person you are searching is upon you. While we have overwatch in place, we still have to touch the clothes of the person that’s coming in.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 27, 2021

Beyond McKenzie’s overwatch from Florida, a Qatar-based brigadier general, Curtis Buzzard, will focus on administering funding support for the Afghan security forces - including aircraft maintenance support.

From Reuters • Jul. 12, 2021

But his great abstinence of all was from Sleep, and strange it was that one of such a Fleshly and sanguine composition, could overwatch so many heavy propense inclinations to Rest.

From Characters from 17th Century Histories and Chronicles by Various