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noun

watchman

WOCH-muhn

Watchman (noun) means a person employed to guard a building or area, especially at night. Example: “The night watchman made his rounds every hour.”

noun
1
A person employed to guard a building or area, especially at night.
"The night watchman made his rounds every hour."

How to Use Watchman

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person whose job is to guard a place, especially overnight.

Common pairings
night watchman the old watchman

Word Forms

watchmen plural, Watchmans plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The night _____ made his rounds every hour.

Etymology

From Middle English waccheman, formed from watch plus man.

Origin: Middle English

watcher security guard

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “watchman” mean?

The word “watchman” means a person employed to guard a building or area, especially at night. In plain terms, a person whose job is to guard a place, especially overnight.

How do you pronounce “watchman”?

“Watchman” is pronounced WOCH-muhn (/ˈwɒtʃmən/ in IPA).

How do you use “watchman” in a sentence?

Here is “watchman” used in a sentence: “The night watchman made his rounds every hour.”

What part of speech is “watchman”?

“Watchman” is a noun.

Where does the word “watchman” come from?

The word “watchman” comes from Middle English. From Middle English waccheman, formed from watch plus man.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial