watchword

American  

[woch-wurd] / ˈwɒtʃˌwɜrd /

noun

1. a word or short phrase to be communicated, on challenge, to a sentinel or guard; password or countersign.

   Synonyms:

   shibboleth

2. a word or phrase expressive of a principle or rule of action; slogan.

   Conservation has been our watchword.

   Synonyms:

   shibboleth

3. a rallying cry of a party, club, team, etc.

   Synonyms:

   motto

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watchword British  

/ ˈwɒtʃˌwɜːd /

noun

1. another word for password

2. a rallying cry or slogan

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Etymology

Origin of watchword

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at watch, word

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

watchword

The “SaaSpocalypse,” a play on the acronym for software as a service, became the watchword for the meltdown.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

In other words, affordability was the watchword before the high court’s decision, and it remains so.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 20, 2026

“Uncertainty” was already a buzzword in 2025, but in 2026, it will become the dominant corporate watchword among American business leaders.

From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026

“Whenever we got stuck in the room, Graham’s watchword would be, ‘Well, let’s look at what Mick wrote,’ and we would go back to the book and figure it out from there.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2025

The Negro press was a signal corps, communicating between leaders and the ground troops, giving the watchword so that the Negro community moved forward in sync with America, but more importantly, as a unified whole.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

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