Meaning of watch In English

• 0 to look at something for a period of time, especially something that is changing or moving:

  • I had dinner and watched TV for a couple of hours.

  • He spent the entire afternoon watching a cricket match.

  • [ + obj + infinitive without to ] I watched him get into a cab.

  • I got the feeling I was being watched.

  • [ + obj + -ing verb ] I sit by the window and watch people walking past.

  • [ + question word ] Just watch how he slides that ball in past the goalkeeper.

  • Bonner watched helplessly as they drove away without him.

  • She'll pretend that she hasn't seen us - you watch.

  • If you want me to watch the kids for a couple of hours while you go out, just let me know.

  • Could you watch my bags for me, while I go to the toilet?

• 1 to be careful of something:

  • I have to watch my weight (= be careful not to become too heavy) now I'm not exercising so much.

  • Watch your language (= do not use rude words), young man!

  • [ + (that) ] Watch (that) you don't get glue on your fingers.

  • [ + question word ] Watch what you're doing with that knife, Jim, it's sharp.

  • You need to watch him - he's a strange character.

• 2 a small clock that is worn on a strap around the wrist or, sometimes, connected to a piece of clothing by a chain:

  • My watch seems to have stopped (= stopped working).

  • He glanced nervously at his watch.

• 3 the activity of watching or giving attention to something or someone, especially to make certain nothing bad happens:

  • The police keep a close watch on gang members.

  • The soldiers slept at night, except for one who stayed awake on watch/to keep watch.

  • the night watch

  • This happened on my watch. And I intend to resolve it.

  • The President exaggerated the number of jobs that were created on his watch.

• 4 a small clock usually worn on a strap around the wrist, or sometimes carried in a pocket:

  • She looked at her watch and said, "It’s a quarter to five."

• 5 an act of guarding someone or something to make sure the person or property stays safe and in the right place:

  • [ U ] The prison guards kept a close watch on him.

  • [ C ] The soldiers on the night watch had to be careful not to fall asleep.

• 6 to look at something for a period of time:

  • [ T ] He spent the evening watching an old movie on TV.

  • [ + to infinitive ] The police were watching to see who left the house.

  • [ T ] Do you want me to watch the kids (= notice what they are doing and care for them) when you go out?

• 7 to be careful of something:

  • We have to watch our bank account to make sure there’s enough money in it to pay our credit card bills.

  • I’ve got to start watching my weight (= be careful not to become fat).

  • The sign says "Watch for (= be careful of) falling rocks."