Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English


watchword noun

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ˈwɒtʃ.wɜːd//ˈwɑːtʃ.wɝːd/ n [C usually singular]

Definition

(a word or phrase which represents) the main ideas or principles directing the way that someone behaves or the way that something is done
And remember, let caution be your watchword.

(Definition of watchword noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

NEW “watchword” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

tenterhooks

worried or nervous about something that is going to happen

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More