invigilate

[ in-vij-uh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, in·vig·i·lat·ed, in·vig·i·lat·ing.

1. to keep watch.
2. British. to keep watch over students at an examination.

invigilate

/ ɪnˈvɪdʒɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to watch examination candidates, esp to prevent cheating US wordproctor
2. archaic.
   to keep watch

Derived Forms

• inˈvigiˌlator, noun
• inˌvigiˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• in·vigi·lation noun
• in·vigi·lator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invigilate¹

1545–55; < Latin invigilātus (past participle of invigilāre to keep watch, stay up late), equivalent to in- in- ² + vigilā- (stem of vigilāre to watch; vigil ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of invigilate¹

C16: from Latin invigilāre to watch over, from in- ² + vigilāre to keep watch; see vigil

Example Sentences

In addition, every member of college staff has been trained to invigilate exams due to the surge in the number of students requiring extra support.

From BBC

Last year, the college CEO even stepped in to invigilate an exam: "It's everyone mucking in."

From BBC

Teachers are also being allowed to invigilate exams in their own subjects, which is not normally permitted.

From BBC

The Association of Colleges warned it could be difficult to find enough staff to safely invigilate exams and the further education group had written to ministers asking for a cancellation.

From BBC

It is critical that news organisations properly invigilate government policy and show how it shapes peoples’ lives – and their deaths.

From The Guardian