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1[countable] a type of small clock that you wear on your wrist, or (in the past) carried in your pocket She kept looking anxiously at her watch. My watch is fast/slow. picture at clock see stopwatch, wristwatch
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- 2[singular, uncountable] the act of watching someone or something carefully in case of possible danger or problems The police have mounted a watch outside the hotel. I'll keep watch while you go through his papers (= watch and warn you if someone is coming). The government is keeping a close watch on how the situation develops. see neighborhood watch
- 3[countable, uncountable] a fixed period of time, usually while other people are asleep, during which someone watches for any danger so that they can warn others, for example on a ship; the person or people who do this I'm on first watch. I go on watch in an hour. see night watchman Idioms
to be looking carefully for someone or something that you expect to see, especially in order to avoid possible danger Be on the watch for thieves.
to watch someone or something carefully Over the next few months we will keep a close eye on sales.
Check pronunciation: watch