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vigilance

vigilance

33 5.2
A state of watching and staying ready for danger
  • noun
  • /ˈvɪdʒɪləns/
translation icon : vigilancia
  • The security team maintained constant vigilance during the event to ensure everyone's safety.
  • constant vigilance
  • eternal vigilance
  • need for vigilance

There was a lot more vigilance there than we had expected.

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Examples

  • Although many things were done right, continued vigilance is necessary to maintain the quality system.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Once the chicks hatch, parents devote more time to vigilance and to protecting the young.

    Academic text (1994)
  • There was a lot more vigilance there than we had expected.

  • You are ordered to maintain maximum vigilance.

  • Promoting equity of access requires vigilance and cooperation across all levels.

    Academic text (2012)
  • As we pay attention with greater vigilance, we notice more mismatches between expectations and reality.

    Academic text (2011)
  • She died having just written the words: "Eternal vigilance, the price of liberty."

  • Therefore, extreme caution and vigilance must be exercised when any of these medications are in use.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Several participants expressed a greater sense of vigilance about the well-being of the donor kidney after donation.

    Academic text (2008)
  • To rework a phrase, eternal vigilance is the price of a reasonable society.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

alertness
vsvigilance
14 2.9

A state of being watchful and ready to notice and act on danger or problems

keeps steady attention rather than rapid reaction
close watch
vsvigilance
11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

is a general quality of attention rather than an ongoing act
wariness
vsvigilance
6 5.4

Being careful and watchful to avoid danger or trouble

means general attentive readiness rather than suspicious hesitation
watchfulness
vsvigilance
2 4.2

Careful attention to danger or problems to keep people safe

focuses especially on possible danger or problems
observance
vsvigilance
2 4.1

Giving careful, quiet attention to something

is the lasting state of close attention rather than a single act
hypervigilance
vsvigilance
  • Specialized
1 9.3

To be very alert and watchful because you feel worried or unsafe

is steady attention without extreme intensity or clinical cause
carefulness
vsvigilance
1 2.1

Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or harm

focuses more on noticing danger rather than general mistake avoidance
cautiousness
vsvigilance
1 4.2

Careful action to avoid danger or problems

emphasizes active attention and readiness rather than slow protective action
wakefulness
vsvigilance
1 5.4

Being alert and paying close attention to things around you

emphasizes noticing possible danger over mere continued attention

Antonyms

16 2.8

Lack of attention that causes mistakes or accidents

8 4.6

Not noticing things around you

Compounds

A group of local people who keep order when police are absent or fail to act

How Vigilant

hypervigilance
  • Specialized
1 9.3
vigilance
33 5.2
watchfulness
2 4.2
awareness
336 3.2

Surface Forms

vigilance singular
vigilances plural

Morphology

vigilance = vigilant (transparent) = vigil + ance

The noun is a straightforward quality/state formation from 'vigilant' with the suffix '-ance'.

Etymology

Vigilance comes from the old Latin word vigil meaning 'awake' and the verb vigilare meaning 'to watch'. Think of a guard keeping a night watch: that's why vigilance means staying alert and watching for danger or problems.