# watching

/ˈwɑtʃɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈɒtʃɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. the act of observing

noun · CEFR B1

the activity of looking at or monitoring something.

For teachers: the act of one who observes or keeps guard; often used in compound nouns or to describe a hobby.

- Bird watching is a very popular hobby in this part of the country.
- The constant watching by the security team ensured that no unauthorised personnel entered the restricted laboratory area.

Usage: Commonly found in compound nouns like 'bird-watching' or 'weight-watching'.

## Examples

- Bird watching is a very relaxing hobby.
- The security team is responsible for the constant watching of the monitors to ensure the building remains safe.
- While casual people-watching provides entertainment for many city dwellers, professional surveillance requires a much more disciplined and systematic approach to observing human behavior.

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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.