vigil

noun

vig·​il ˈvi-jəl How to pronounce vigil (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, the boy's parents have maintained a constant vigil at his bedside while their 6-year-old daughter stays with relatives. William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025 The women were from the Boston suburb of Revere, where a vigil was held to remember the women on Tuesday. Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 The church has encouraged worshippers across Rome and around the world to pray for his health, including at nightly vigils held close to St. Peter's - a custom the Catholic Church has long practiced during previous papal illnesses. Willem Marx, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025 Cardinal Re picked to lead prayer vigil on Wednesday The dean of the College of Cardinals, meanwhile, was designated to lead the Vatican’s prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday night, thrusting a key figure in any future possible conclave into the spotlight. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigil

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vigil was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigil. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

vigil

noun
vig·​il ˈvij-əl How to pronounce vigil (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on vigil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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