vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvi-jəl 

1

: the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary

also : a period of wakefulness

2

: an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night

a candlelight vigil

kept vigil at her bedside

3

a

: a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions

b

: the day before a religious feast observed as a day of spiritual preparation

c

: evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

• lookout
• surveillance
• watch

Examples of vigil in a Sentence

kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital

Recent Examples on the Web

Pull up a chair and hold Catherine’s hand; sit vigil over your son in this small, sacred way. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Community members lined the streets Tuesday as Roque’s remains arrived, and many attended a vigil held in her honor. —Michelle Watson, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024

The attack on Lord and other Goons beatings sparked community outrage, prompting marches, vigils and protests to demand accountability from police, school officials and politicians. —Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024

One Direction fans mourned Payne’s death on social media while a large group gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel to set up a vigil for the musician and sang One Direction songs. —Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigile, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin vigilia watch on the eve of a feast, from Latin, wakefulness, watch, from vigil awake, watchful; akin to Latin vigēre to be vigorous, vegēre to enliven — more at wake

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing vigil

• keep vigil
• vigil light

Kids Definition

vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvij-əl 

1

a

: the day before a religious feast

b

: prayers or religious services held in the evening or at night

—usually used in plural

2

: an act or period of staying awake at times when one normally would be sleeping

an all-night vigil spent awaiting her return

3

: an act or period of attentive watching : watch

kept vigil at the bedside of his ill son