watch

I UK [wɒtʃ] / US [wɑtʃ] verb
Word forms "watch":
present tense I/you/we/they watch he/she/it watches present participle watching past tense watched past participle watched
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1) [intransitive/transitive] to look at someone or something for a period of time

Have you been watching the election campaign?

Tourists watched quietly as the villagers performed a traditional dance.

watch someone/something do something:

Jill watched the children build sandcastles.

From the hill you can watch the planes take off.

watch someone/something doing something:

We arrived early to watch the players warming up.

watch how/who/what etc:

Watch how well she handles the ball.

watch with interest/amusement/fascination etc:

A vicious-looking dog was watching us with interest.

a) [transitive] to look at something such as a television programme or sports event, usually from the beginning to the end

Our kids only watch videos at weekends.

Did you watch the news last night?

Millions watched the match on television.

b) [transitive] to secretly look at someone or something for a period of time, especially because you want to get information or to do something illegal

I think our house is being watched.

c) [transitive, always in imperative] spoken used for telling someone to look at you while you do something

Watch what I can do.

Watch me!

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See:

look

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Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with watch
▪  anxiously, avidly, carefully, closely, helplessly, idly, incredulously, intently, nervously, quietly, silently

2) [transitive] to be careful of something

Watch the knife! It's sharp!

watch how/who/what etc:

You should watch what you say about my friends.

watch (that):

Watch you don't get your bag stolen.

3) [transitive] to take care of a child, an animal, or someone's property for a short time and make sure that nothing harms it

Can you please watch my bag while I make a phone call?

Could you just watch the baby for a minute?

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just/you watch — spoken used for emphasizing that you know what will happen in a particular situation

He'll be out of money in no time, just watch.

- watch your back

- watch the clock

- watch it

- watch someone like a hawk

- watch your mouth

- watch this space

- watch the time

- watch your weight

- watch what you're doing

- watch the world go by

- watch yourself

Phrasal verbs:

- watch for

- watch out

- watch out for

- watch over

See:

step I

II UK [wɒtʃ] / US [wɑtʃ] noun
Word forms "watch":
singular watch plural watches
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1) [countable] a small clock that you carry with you, usually on your wrist

Joseph glanced at his watch and saw that he was late.

2) [countable] an organization that continuously watches something to make sure that bad things do not happen

members of the local neighbourhood watch

a) [countable/uncountable] a period of time when someone is responsible for watching a situation, so that they can warn others if there is any danger

I'm not tired; I'll take the first watch.

on watch:

Who was on watch at the time?

b) [countable] a group of people whose job is to guard something

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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with watch
▪  24-hour, careful, close, constant, continual, round-the-clock, tight

keep (a) watch — to pay attention to a situation carefully so that you can deal with any changes or problems; to watch someone carefully to make sure that they are safe or that they do not do something bad

Scientists are keeping a close watch on pollution levels.

Officers can keep watch from far away using high-powered video cameras.

Keep a watch on him in case he gets worse.

The male keeps a careful watch on their every move.

We sat by his bed and kept watch over him.

on the watch (for something) — paying careful attention so that you are ready to deal with something if it happens

His family was always on the watch for early signs of the disease.

- under watch