Definition

1. Noun:
   • A devotional service held on New Year's Eve: "Watch night" refers specifically to a religious service, often Christian, held late on December 31st, involving prayer, reflection, and worship to welcome the new year.
   • A night vigil or watch: Historically, it can denote a period of staying awake during the night for devotional purposes or solemn observance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Our church holds a watch night service every December 31st.
  • Many congregants gather for watch night to pray and sing hymns together.
  • The tradition of watch night dates back centuries.

Advanced Usage

• "Watch night service": The full, common term for the event.

  • The watch night service will begin at 10:30 PM.

• "Attend watch night": To go to and participate in the service.

  • We plan to attend watch night at the cathedral.

Variants and Related Words

• Vigil (n): An act or period of staying awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.
  • They kept a prayer vigil throughout the night.

Synonyms

• New Year's Eve service: A devotional gathering on December 31st.
• Night vigil: A period of watchful staying awake at night.

Notes on Meaning

The term "watch night" is almost exclusively used in a religious context. It is not used to describe simply staying up late on any night or for secular New Year's Eve parties. Its core meaning is tied to communal prayer and worship.

Noun

1. a devotional service (especially on New Year's Eve)