watchword

[ woch-wurd ]

/ ˈwɒtʃˌwɜrd /

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noun

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

a word or phrase expressive of a principle or rule of action; slogan: Conservation has been our watchword.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR watchword

1, 2 shibboleth.

3 motto.

See synonyms for watchword on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of watchword

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

Words nearby watchword

watchout, watch over, watch pocket, watchstrap, watchtower, watchword, water, waterage, water arum, water ash, water back

How to use watchword in a sentence

The public’s safety has always been at the forefront of our minds—safety is our watchword.
How the U.K. Approved Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Faster Than the U.S. and Europe|Ciara Nugent|December 2, 2020|Time
The refusal to compromise is a watchword of their candidates who wear it as a badge of pride.
The Tea Party Isn’t a Political Movement, It’s a Religious One|Jack Schwartz|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rather, it seems as though “crony capitalism” is the watchword for this administration.
The Rich Get Richer: Obama-Style Crony Capitalism|Lloyd Green|March 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Especially after the oil crisis, “the watchword was reasonableness.”
Space Shuttle Enterprise: Flashback to an Icon of ‘70s Design|Blake Gopnik|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Michael Daly on how Ted Kennedy—and even Osama bin Laden—helped the president finally reclaim the watchword that got him elected.
Ted Kennedy, Bin Laden & Gay Marriage: How Obama Got His Audacity Back|Michael Daly|May 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
(The term “captology” is acronymically derived from their watchword: Computers As Persuasive Technology).
Facebook’s Organ-Donor Option Sounds Good, but Should We Be Paranoid About Privacy?|Kent Sepkowitz|May 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The watchword of conduct that will clear up all our difficulties is, the plain truth.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The result of this will be that payments back in the customary way can only follow on giving this watchword.
Social Comptabilism, Cheque and Clearing Service & Proposed Law|Ernest Solvay
And he himself choose a given private «Watchword» (Losungswort) and inscribe it in the appointed place in the counter-certificate.
Social Comptabilism, Cheque and Clearing Service & Proposed Law|Ernest Solvay
If the depositor already has a watchword in connection with his deposit book that watchword is to be inserted.
Social Comptabilism, Cheque and Clearing Service & Proposed Law|Ernest Solvay
For sums above 20 florins, the depositor, in case he has no watchword must prove his own identity.
Social Comptabilism, Cheque and Clearing Service & Proposed Law|Ernest Solvay

British Dictionary definitions for watchword

watchword

/ (ˈwɒtʃˌwɜːd) /

noun

another word for password

a rallying cry or slogan

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

watchword

OTHER WORDS FOR watchword

Origin of watchword

Words nearby watchword

Words related to watchword

How to use watchword in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for watchword