vigil

American  

[vij-uhl] / ˈvɪdʒ əl /

noun

• vigils
  plural

1. wakefulness or watchfulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping.

   They passed many hours in vigil.

2. a watch or a period of watchful attention maintained at night or at other times.

   The nurse kept her vigil at the bedside of the dying man.

3. a quiet demonstration to support a cause, protest an injustice, honor the dead, etc..

   A candlelight vigil in remembrance of the two fallen officers will be held tonight at sundown.

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. Sometimes vigils a nocturnal devotional exercise or service, especially on the eve before a church festival.

      The Easter vigil reflects on the holy sacraments as well as the resurrection and ascension of Christ.

   2. the eve, or day and night, before a church festival, especially an eve that is a fast.

5. a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.

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vigil British  

/ ˈvɪdʒɪl /

noun

1. a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc

2. the period of such a watch

3. RC Church Church of England the eve of certain major festivals, formerly observed as a night spent in prayer: often marked by fasting and abstinence and a special Mass and divine office

4. a period of sleeplessness; insomnia

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vigils
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vigil

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English vigil(i)e, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin vigilia “eve of a holy day,” special use of Latin vigilia “watchfulness,” equivalent to vigil “sentry” + -ia -y ³

Explanation

A vigil is when you stay alert to guard something, as when you keep vigil over your hen house when the foxes are out. A vigil can also be solemn, as when a candlelight vigil is held for victims of a tragedy. Vigil comes from the Latin word for "awake," and all its meanings include the idea of watchfulness. If you're attending a vigil or keeping vigil, you shouldn't expect to take a nap. The vigil is an apt kind of demonstration for peace movements, as it's calm, non-violent, and solemn, with participants standing quietly — sometimes holding candles.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vigil vigils

"I believe the vicious media campaign drove him to his death," MP Diane Abbott, the first black woman elected to the UK parliament, told the vigil.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

On Monday evening, a few thousand people gathered at a vigil for Arday in London’s Trafalgar Square.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

The central London vigil was organised by the group Stand Up to Racism, and several speakers paying tribute to Arday complained about his treatment by the media.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

More than 200 people have attended an emotional vigil in Cambridge to remember the life of Jason Arday.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

My feet nudge aside the vigil remnants, giving me more room to work.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

During the trial, there was little debate over the role of the accused in the group or their activities, including the vigils.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Further vigils for Arday are set to take place in both Cambridge and London on Monday evening.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Catholic sisters are playing a key role among clergy and other religious leaders who have been organizing demonstrations and vigils at ICE field offices and processing centers in places like Chicago, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026

Much of the overtime money the department spent went instead toward preparing for unrest, monitoring protests and vigils, guarding hotels housing federal agents, and managing the public response to federal violence.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

She kept her vigils for the Mujahideen and waited for her parade.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• observance
• patrol