What does "watch" mean?

1. (to look at for a time) to look at someone or something for a period of time, especially something that moves. 2. (to guard or look after) to take care of something or someone for a short time to make sure they are safe. 3. (to be careful) to be careful about something or pay attention to a danger. 4. (a timepiece) a small clock that you wear on your wrist or carry in your pocket. 5. (guard duty) a period of time when someone stays awake to guard a place, especially on a ship.

How do you use "watch"?

Often used with 'on' or 'off', as in 'on watch'.

Is it correct to say "I watched to the television for an hour."?

No — say "I watched television for an hour.". Unlike 'look', the verb 'watch' does not take the preposition 'to' before its object.

watch

v. · n.

US //ˈwɑtʃ// UK //wˈɒtʃ// watch

1 to look at for a time (v.)
A1 Beginner

to look at someone or something for a period of time, especially something that moves.

to look at or observe attentively over a period of time. Ambitransitive — can be used with or without a direct object.

Example

We sat on the bench and watched the people walking through the park.

Example

The researchers watched the birds for several hours, documenting every interaction between the nesting pairs and their offspring.
- ignore
- neglect
Pitfall

I watched to the television for an hour.

I watched television for an hour.

Unlike 'look', the verb 'watch' does not take the preposition 'to' before its object.
2 to guard or look after (v.)
A2 Elementary

to take care of something or someone for a short time to make sure they are safe.

to keep under attentive view or to maintain guard over someone or something.

Example

Could you watch my bag for a minute while I go to the bathroom?

Example

The shepherd stayed awake all night to watch the flock, fearing that wolves might approach from the nearby forest.

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3 to be careful (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to be careful about something or pay attention to a danger.

to exercise caution or be vigilant regarding a potential risk or specific detail.

Example

You should watch your step on these icy stairs.

Example

Investors are advised to watch the market closely, as sudden policy changes could affect stock prices overnight.
- be careful
- mind
4 a timepiece (n.)
A1 Beginner

a small clock that you wear on your wrist or carry in your pocket.

a portable timepiece designed to be worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket.

Example

He looked at his watch and realised he was ten minutes late for the meeting.

Example

She received a gold watch as a retirement gift, engraved with her years of service to the company.
- timepiece
- wristwatch
5 guard duty (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Nautical

a period of time when someone stays awake to guard a place, especially on a ship.

a period of duty for guarding or observing, particularly one of the shifts into which the day is divided on a ship.

Example

The sailor finished his watch at midnight and went to his cabin to sleep.

Example

During the storm, the captain ordered extra crew members to remain on watch to ensure the vessel stayed on course.

Usage

Often used with 'on' or 'off', as in 'on watch'.

Etymology 1

As a noun, from Middle English wacche, from Old English wæċċe. See below for verb form.

Etymology 2

From Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæċċan, from Proto-West Germanic wakkjan, from Proto-Germanic wakjaną.

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