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