night watch

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

night′ watch′, 

1. a watch or guard kept during the night.
2. a person or the persons keeping such a watch.
3. Usually, night watches. the periods or divisions into which the night was divided in ancient times.
• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English
night′ watch′ing. 

Night′ Watch′, The, 

1. Fine Art a painting (1642) by Rembrandt.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

night watch noun

1. a watch or guard kept at night, esp for security
2. the period of time the watch is kept
3. a person who keeps such a watch; night watchman