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

The most obvious response to this—that the facility should have put Castro back on suicide watch—is not as simple as it sounds.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, he says, being on suicide watch can make the possibility of self-harm more likely.

From The Daily Beast

“It is unheard of for someone to be on suicide watch for nine months,” Haney said.

From The Daily Beast

Why was he not on a suicide watch, his movements monitored on CCTV?

From The Daily Beast

As Sandusky sits under suicide watch at a county jail, his lawyers have vowed an appeal.

From The Daily Beast