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

Local authorities discussed the Secret Service requesting a sniper and overwatch support, along with counterassault teams and a quick reaction force.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2024

“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

Like legendary sentinels of a vanished past, they seem to overwatch the valley.

From Mexico Its Ancient and Modern Civilisation, History, Political Conditions, Topography, Natural Resources, Industries and General Development by Hume, Martin