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
About 60 people showed up to a community vigil Tuesday night for Jaylen Sloan at the crash scene.
—
Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
Bridget Vega of Gilbert said that Lord had connected each person present for Monday's vigil.
—Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024
Family and friends gathered together for a vigil to honor her life on Tuesday.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
In defiance, each Sunday, a group of faculty members, students, and community members gather on campus for candlelight vigils that extend past the 11 p.m. deadline.
—Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vigil 
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Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
Bridget Vega of Gilbert said that Lord had connected each person present for Monday's vigil.
—Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024
Family and friends gathered together for a vigil to honor her life on Tuesday.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
In defiance, each Sunday, a group of faculty members, students, and community members gather on campus for candlelight vigils that extend past the 11 p.m. deadline.
—Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vigil
Dictionary Entries Near vigil
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigil. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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