Word
watchman
Phoneticswatch·man, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɑtʃmən/
UK/wˈɒtʃmən/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“The watchman walks around the factory every hour at night.”
“The night watchman noticed the broken window and immediately called the police to report a break-in.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
The plural form is 'watchmen'.
Etymology
From Middle English waccheman. By surface analysis, watch + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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