Definition

1. Noun:
   • A period of duty or guard kept during the night: A "night watch" specifically refers to a scheduled period of work, surveillance, or guard duty that occurs during the nighttime hours, typically to ensure safety or security.
   • The group of people keeping such a watch: It can also refer to the team or individuals who are assigned to perform this duty during the night.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The security guard began his night watch at 10 p.m.
  • During the night watch, the crew must monitor the ship's instruments.
  • The night watch reported hearing unusual noises outside the building.

Advanced Usage

• "to keep a night watch": To be on duty or to maintain vigilance during the night.
  • Two soldiers were ordered to keep a night watch over the camp.
• "to stand the night watch": To take one's turn performing the night duty.
  • As the newest officer, he had to stand the night watch.

Variants and Related Words

• Watchman (n): A person, especially a guard, who keeps watch.
  • The watchman patrolled the factory grounds.
• Nightshift (n): A period of work scheduled during the night.
  • She works the nightshift at the hospital. (Note: This is a compound word listed here as a related concept, not as a direct variant of "night watch").

Synonyms

• Vigil: A period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.
• Surveillance: Close observation, especially of a suspected person or area.

Related Phrases

• On night watch: The state of being currently engaged in the night watch duty.
  • Who is on night watch tonight?

Related Idioms

• To burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night. (This idiom relates to working at night but does not specifically imply a guard duty).
  • He was burning the midnight oil to finish the report.

Noun

1. a watch during the night (as from midnight to 8 a.m.)