suicide watch

[soo-uh-sahyd woch]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a system of regular checking on prison inmates or psychiatric patients who are believed to be suicidal.
The prisoner was on suicide watch, but somehow managed to hang himself.
close observation or supervision of someone in order to prevent suicide.
We took turns staying at her place, on suicide watch until she was able to get professional help.

suicide watch

noun

a round-the-clock watch by warders on a prisoner considered to be in danger of harming him- or herself

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Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide watch¹

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

R. Kelly’s lawyer explains why the R&B artist was put on suicide watch after being sentenced this week to 30 years in prison.

From

Ahead of the hearing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, Selna issued a tentative ruling of 10 years, citing Avenatti’s work helping fellow inmates in prison, including as a suicide watch companion and through tutoring.

From

Epstein, 66, had been taken off suicide watch before he was found dead, hanging by a bed sheet in his cell.

From

He was placed in a cell without a camera and was not put on suicide watch, records show.

From

Combs, who is facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, is currently being held in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center on suicide watch, after his arrest in Manhattan Monday and subsequent bail denial, according to People.

From

suicide squeeze suicidology

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