A vigil is a period of time when people remain quietly in a place, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest.
A prayer vigil is being held in the cathedral in memory of the bishop.
Protesters are holding a twenty-four hour vigil outside the socialist party headquarters.
See keep vigil
vigil in British English
(ˈvɪdʒɪl)
noun
1.
a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc
2.
the period of such a watch
3. Roman Catholic Church, Church of England
the eve of certain major festivals, formerly observed as a night spent in prayer: often marked by fasting and abstinence and a special Mass and divine office
4.
a period of sleeplessness; insomnia
Word origin
C13: from Old French vigile, from Medieval Latin vigilia watch preceding a religious festival, from Latin: vigilance, from vigil alert, from vigēre to be lively
vigil in American English
(ˈvɪdʒəl)
noun
1.
a.
a purposeful or watchful staying awake during the usual hours of sleep
b.
a watch kept, or the period of this
2. Ecclesiastical
the evening or day before a festival, or the devotional services held then
Word origin
ME vigile < OFr < L vigilia, a watch < vigil, awake < vegere, to arouse: see wake1
Examples of 'vigil' in a sentence
vigil
The Daughters of Sappho kept a vigil in front of the courthouse.
Reeves, Robert DOUBTING THOMAS (2001)
R was thinking how, once he pulled the trigger, his vigil would end.
Joyce Carol Oates FAITHLESS: TALES OF TRANSGRESSION (2001)
In other languages
vigil
British English: vigil NOUN
A vigil is a period of time when people remain quietly in a place, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest.
Protesters are holding a twenty-four hour vigil outside the party headquarters.