vigilance
/ˈvɪdʒɪləns/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɪdʒələns] /ˈvɪdʒɪləns/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɪdʒələns] /ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s How to pronounce vigilance (audio)/ (ame, mw)
vigilance — noun
1. the practice of staying alert and watching carefully so that you can notice poss
the practice of staying alert and watching carefully so that you can notice possible dangers, problems, or unusual events before they develop into something serious
Mei-Lin's vigilance in checking the fish tank temperature saved her koi from heat stress.
vigilance in + gerund phrase: staying watchful about a specific ongoing task
Kwame praised the night-shift nurse for her vigilance in spotting the patient's early symptoms.
The security guard's vigilance prevented a break-in at the office building last night.
After the robbery, the neighbourhood agreed that greater vigilance was needed at night.
Dr. Vasquez urged the hikers to maintain constant vigilance near the rocky cliff edge.
- watchfulness
more informal and everyday; describes the act of paying attention, often in personal settings
- alertness
focuses on mental readiness and quick reaction, often used in safety instructions
- attentiveness
broader in scope; can refer to listening or caring, not limited to danger detection
- carelessness
lack of concern about possible risks
- inattention
not focusing on what is happening around you
- negligence
failure to take proper care in a duty or responsibility, often with legal implications
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Frequently paired with adjectives such as constant, heightened, increased, and eternal. Common in formal and institutional contexts (security, healthcare, military, public safety). Unlike watch, vigilance is uncountable and refers to a general state rather than a specific act of looking.