watch noun
1 instrument for telling the time
ADJ. digital | fob, pocket, wrist (also wristwatch) | sports
VERB + WATCH check, consult, glance at, look at | put back/forward We put our watches forward eight hours before landing in Tokyo. | set Don't forget to set your watch to local time. | wind Quartz watches don't need winding. | have on, wear | put on | take off
WATCH + VERB go My watch is ten years old and it's still going. | stop Sorry I'm late?my watch has stopped. | be slow, lose sth My watch loses a minute each day. | be fast, gain sth | say sth My watch says three o'clock.
WATCH + NOUN face | band (also watchband), strap
2 guard
ADJ. careful, close I kept a close watch on my bag as I sat on the train. | constant, round-the-clock | night
VERB + WATCH keep, stand Two soldiers were ordered to keep watch for enemy aircraft. | put The garrison commander had put an extra watch on the prisoners.
WATCH + NOUN committee | tower
PREP. on ~ Some of the crew were sleeping, while others were on watch. | on the ~ for Cats are constantly on the watch for mice or other small mammals.