watchman
Hired nocturnal patroller
A watchman is a person employed to guard a building or property, especially at night.
The term evokes an older era of security—a night watchman making rounds with a flashlight, checking doors and windows.
The watchman discovered the break-in during his 2 a.m. patrol.
The role has largely been replaced by security guards and electronic surveillance.
Regular surveillance route
- sentryGuard on duty
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- checkpointInspection station on route
- bouncerVenue entrance enforcer
patroller · lookout · scout · gatehouse · beat · rounds · post · station
Overnight work schedule
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
- darknessTotal absence of light
- nightfallOnset of darkness
- twilightLight after sunset
dusk · afterhours · nighttime · graveyard-shift · lamplighter · lantern · torch · prowler
Guard who monitors
- custodianGuardian of a place
- wardenSupervisory custodian of place
- keeperOne who guards
- defenderOne who guards another
safeguard · watchdog · overseer · caretaker · steward · shield · vigilance · ward
Warning or watchfulness
- observantNoticing things readily
- attentivePaying close notice
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- sharp-eyedHaving keen vision
wary · suspicious · scrutiny · surveillance · monitor · lookout · scan · inspect
patrol
Regular surveillance route
- sentryGuard on duty
- gatekeeperOne controlling entry
- checkpointInspection station on route
bouncer · patroller · lookout · scout · gatehouse · beat · rounds · post · station · duty
nightshift
Overnight work schedule
twilight · dusk · afterhours · nighttime · graveyard-shift · lamplighter · lantern · torch · prowler · intruder
sentinel
Guard who monitors
defender · safeguard · watchdog · overseer · caretaker · steward · shield · vigilance · ward · charge
alert
Warning or watchfulness
sharp-eyed · wary · suspicious · scrutiny · surveillance · monitor · lookout · scan · inspect · detect
constable
Low-ranking peace officer
bellman · nightwatch · parish · medieval · victorian · lantern · cloak · rattle · staff · horn
- heroeshero, heroes, heroine, heroines, superhero
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- securitysecurity guard, security cameras, alarm system, security system, lock
- ancient occupationssoldier, merchant, farmer, shepherd, carpenter
- caretakerscaretaker, caretakers, caregiver, minder, custodian
- castle staffchamberlain, chambermaid, butler, guard, handmaiden
- night watchmanOvernight security guard
- night watchmenOvernight security personnel