watch night

noun

: a devotional service lasting until after midnight especially on New Year's Eve

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watch night was in 1742

Dictionary Entries Near watch night

Cite this Entry

“Watch night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watch%20night. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!