watch
verb (used without object)
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens.
was watching
-
past progressiveof watch.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
New York Times reporter Julian E. Barnes was watching “The Sheep Detectives” with his family one recent Friday night when two federal agents rang his doorbell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Forty years ago, back in the 1980s, Steve Witkoff was a junior lawyer at a firm working for Donald Trump, and was watching him keenly.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
New Jersey’s taxman was watching Spain and Argentina square off, Raiola said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026
"So when I was young and getting into football, having the choice to watch an England team that had all the players that I was watching on Match of the Day was quite enticing."
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The door creaked open the slightest bit, hopefully not enough to be noticeable if anyone was watching from the other side.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
