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

Only a dozen people had gathered around 20 minutes into the vigil.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Attendees of the vigil laid flowers at the crosses in a makeshift cemetery.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

The vigil will be held at the Braid Arts Centre at 18:30 BST.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Daniel Rodriguez, a 20-year-old attendee, said he was proud of the diverse group of people who were at the vigil to express solidarity with those most at risk of being targeted by ICE.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

As the schooner sped south, it was as if the whole crew was sitting vigil.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

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

Across Orlando and beyond, vigils, church services and private ceremonies have been held to honor the victims of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026

Across Australia, vigils will be held for Kumanjayi Little Baby on Thursday evening, with the public invited to the events in Alice Springs and other major capital cities.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

Medalia’s film follows activists whose silent vigils draw both support and condemnation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

Private vigils held at night, made more private because they were expressions of public lunacy.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• observance
• patrol