dogwatch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Nautical/Technical, Literary (archaic).
Quick answer
What does “dogwatch” mean?
A short, usually two-hour, watch on a ship, typically from 4-6 PM or 6-8 PM.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, usually two-hour, watch on a ship, typically from 4-6 PM or 6-8 PM.
A brief, often less formal or less desirable shift of duty. By extension, any short, irregular period of work or watchfulness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning, as the term is equally archaic in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British naval historical writing.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of tradition, historical nautical life, and often an arduous or tedious short shift.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Virtually never used in everyday modern English.
Grammar
How to Use “dogwatch” in a Sentence
to stand [OBJECT: dogwatch]the [MODIFIER: first/second/afternoon] dogwatchVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary studies discussing nautical life.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Obsolete nautical term, may appear in historical naval manuals or fiction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dogwatch”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dogwatch”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dogwatch”
- Using it to mean 'walking the dog' or 'watching dogs'.
- Using it for any modern work shift.
- Spelling as 'dog watch' (though sometimes hyphenated historically).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never. It is an archaic term primarily found in historical texts, nautical literature, or period fiction.
The etymology is uncertain. Leading theories suggest it's shortened from 'docked watch' (a curtailed watch) or that it's because it's 'cur-tailed' (like a dog's tail). Another theory links it to Sirius, the 'Dog Star', visible during some evening watches.
Traditionally, the first dogwatch was 4-6 PM and the second dogwatch was 6-8 PM.
No, it is exclusively a noun in standard usage. You 'stand' a dogwatch; you do not 'dogwatch'.
A short, usually two-hour, watch on a ship, typically from 4-6 PM or 6-8 PM.
Dogwatch is usually nautical/technical, literary (archaic). in register.
Dogwatch: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡwɒtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡwɑːtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring (sometimes associated with the odd nature of the dogwatch).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog napping briefly but waking often to 'watch' – a short, alert period.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A DIVIDABLE RESOURCE / DUTY IS A BURDEN.
Practice
Quiz
In a historical naval context, what was the primary purpose of the dogwatch?