noun
vigil
VIHD-zhuhl
noun
1
A period of staying awake, often at night, to watch, pray, or keep guard.
"Family members held a vigil at the hospital bedside all night."
2
A quiet public gathering held to show support for a cause or to mourn someone.
"Hundreds attended the candlelight vigil for the victims."
How to Use Vigil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA period of watchful waiting, often overnight — or a solemn gathering, often with candles.
Common pairings
hold a vigil
candlelight vigil
keep vigil
Word Forms
vigiled past tense, vigilled past tense, vigils plural, vigils singular
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Family members held a _____ at the hospital bedside all night.
Etymology
From Latin vigilia ("wakefulness, a watch"), from vigil ("awake") — the same root that gives us "vigilant" and "vigour."