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

The attack at the Far Southwest Side restaurant ignited outrage in the neighborhood, where community members held a vigil for Barraco, who suffered a brain bleed. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

On Sunday evening, a small group held a vigil at the pier, laying bouquets on the ground, lighting votive candles and hanging a rosary and a small image of a Virgin Mary on a fence. —Andrew Keh, New York Times, 19 May 2025

This includes memorial services, vigils, and the placement of new names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. —Jenna Dejong, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Family of Boy, 9, Who Died After Becoming Trapped Between Rocks at a Beach on Easter Sunday Says Their 'Hearts Are Broken' About 150 people attended the vigil, including family, community members and emergency responders who took part in the search, Necaise recalls. —David Chiu, People.com, 1 May 2025

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