suicide watch

[soo-uh-sahyd woch]

noun

1. a system of regular checking on prison inmates or psychiatric patients who are believed to be suicidal.

   The prisoner was on suicide watch, but somehow managed to hang himself.

2. close observation or supervision of someone in order to prevent suicide.

   We took turns staying at her place, on suicide watch until she was able to get professional help.

suicide watch

noun

1. a round-the-clock watch by warders on a prisoner considered to be in danger of harming him- or herself

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide watch¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Why Epstein got such a sweetheart deal when he was charged with very serious crimes in Florida, how he died despite being on suicide watch, why some footage of his cell was initially missing, and why there has been such intense resistance to releasing the full investigative files—all of it makes for prime conspiracy theorizing, including for many of us who are very far from QAnon followers but find something just a little too convenient about this whole story.

Read more on Slate

Judge Faruqui said he was concerned that the defendant was now on "suicide watch" and had not yet had the opportunity to enter a plea.

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While in custody, Retes said, he became so distressed that he was put on suicide watch, but he was still not allowed to contact an attorney.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

R. Kelly’s lawyer explains why the R&B artist was put on suicide watch after being sentenced this week to 30 years in prison.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ahead of the hearing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, Selna issued a tentative ruling of 10 years, citing Avenatti’s work helping fellow inmates in prison, including as a suicide watch companion and through tutoring.

Read more on Los Angeles Times