Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

watch list

American  
Or watchlist

noun

  1. a list of persons or things to watch for possible action in the future.

    a watch list of possible growth stocks.


Etymology

Origin of watch list

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

Runyan said Ghazali was not under federal investigation before the attack and was not on a US terror watch list.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

By the time of the attack, Otto, Friedel and Ruth were all on a government watch list, with orders for their arrests in the event of war.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

He also added Nigeria to the government’s religious freedom watch list.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025

The UK has a new watch list of 24 infectious diseases that could pose the greatest future threat to public health.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2025

Angie had put his name on the terrorist watch list, he said.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "watch list" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com