1
: the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary
also
: a period of wakefulness
2
: an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night
a candlelight vigil
kept vigil at her bedside
3
a
: a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions
b
: the day before a religious feast observed as a day of spiritual preparation
c
: evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers
—usually used in plural
Examples of vigil in a Sentence
kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
That means praying at protests, helping transgender people transition, standing vigil outside of immigration court hearings and even accompanying people inside those hearings if asked.
—
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Family members held a vigil in Lompoc on Friday near the home where investigators first went to look for Melodee, according to The Lompoc Record.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
On Friday night, about 20 people, including Police Chief Ray Sweeney and other officers, gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Pink Rose Cafe in downtown La Mesa to honor the officer.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
The vigil was held by the Interfaith Coalition of the Treasure Valley, at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
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Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Family members held a vigil in Lompoc on Friday near the home where investigators first went to look for Melodee, according to The Lompoc Record.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
On Friday night, about 20 people, including Police Chief Ray Sweeney and other officers, gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Pink Rose Cafe in downtown La Mesa to honor the officer.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
The vigil was held by the Interfaith Coalition of the Treasure Valley, at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigil. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vigil
noun
vig·il
ˈvij-əl 
1
a
: the day before a religious feast
b
: prayers or religious services held in the evening or at night
—usually used in plural
2
: an act or period of staying awake at times when one normally would be sleeping
an all-night vigil spent awaiting her return
3
: an act or period of attentive watching : watch
kept vigil at the bedside of his ill son
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