# watches

/ˈwɑtʃəz/ (US) · /wˈɒtʃɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/watches
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. periods of duty

noun · CEFR B2

periods of time when someone, like a guard or sailor, stays awake to look for danger.

For teachers: scheduled periods of duty or surveillance, particularly on a ship or in a security context.

- The sailors took turns during the night watches to keep the ship safe.
- During the long winter watches, the sentries had to remain vigilant despite the freezing temperatures and total darkness.

## Examples

- He checks his watch every few minutes.
- The jeweler specializes in repairing luxury watches that use complex mechanical movements instead of batteries.
- While digital watches offer high precision and extra features, many collectors still prefer the craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal of traditional analog timepieces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.