overwatch

7 7.6

A position where a soldier or unit watches an area and shoots at enemies that move

noun
/ˈoʊvərˌwɑːtʃ/

Specialized

: vigilancia

Simultaneous with these decisions, the United States should start negotiations to establish a broad time horizon for the transition of the remaining U.S. forces to an overwatch role and the conditions for continued U.S. support for the Iraqi government.
overwatch position
teams in Overwatch
game Overwatch

And then my team leader comes up and he's like, hey, we're tasked to do Overwatch and push forward.

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Examples

Two-six, stay on overwatch.

Rampage (2018)
I want you on overwatch in case somebody comes back for something.

Fast Five (2011)
You and I both know this is an Overwatch operation.

Mile 22 (2018)
It's like those things are on overwatch, just like us.

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Set security and take overwatch.

Thank You for Your Service (2017)
You'll provide overwatch, we'll go in and take it.

Academic text (2010)
Stay on overwatch.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Overwatch is set.

6 Underground (2019)
We've got four teams on overwatch, sniper-spotters in roosts north and south of the target.

Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
The team set up an overwatch position to monitor the enemy's movements in the valley.

Surface Forms

overwatch singular

overwatches plural

Morphology

overwatch = watch (semi-transparent) = over + watch

The combination of 'over' + 'watch' clearly indicates monitoring or watching over, but the specialized military/gaming sense of providing protective cover and automated response is a domain-specific extension.

Etymology

Overwatch comes from over- 'above' and watch 'to look or guard'. So an overwatch is a way to 'look over' and protect an area or group, which is why in games and the military it means a unit watches an area and is ready to act when an enemy moves.