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
For days now, prayer vigils have also been held around the world.
—
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
On February 6th, after an all-night vigil in the Senate, Democrats failed to prevent Russell Vought from being confirmed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, which administers federal spending.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Last April, a vigil was held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Columbine shooting which Hochhalter attended.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025
Two other vigils are planned for Monday night in Nordquist's home state of Minnesota, including one outside the Minnesota State Capitol building in Saint Paul.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
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Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
On February 6th, after an all-night vigil in the Senate, Democrats failed to prevent Russell Vought from being confirmed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, which administers federal spending.
—Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Last April, a vigil was held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Columbine shooting which Hochhalter attended.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025
Two other vigils are planned for Monday night in Nordquist's home state of Minnesota, including one outside the Minnesota State Capitol building in Saint Paul.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 17 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 13 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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