ENGLISH
REFERENCE

watchman

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈwɑtʃmən// UK //wˈɒtʃmən// watch·man

n. a person whose job is to guard a building or property, especially at night. They make sure the place is safe and that no one enters without permission.

n. a person employed to guard a building or property against intruders, fire, or damage. Often used in a historical or literary context, as 'security guard' is the more common modern equivalent.


SIMPLE

The watchman walks around the factory every hour at night.

CONTEXTUAL

The night watchman noticed the broken window and immediately called the police to report a break-in.

COMPLEX

In the quiet hours before dawn, the lone watchman found solace in the rhythmic sound of his own footsteps echoing through the empty warehouse corridors.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English waccheman. By surface analysis, watch + -man.

Usage

The plural form is 'watchmen'.

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