overwatch

present singular third person overwatches · participle present overwatching · participle past overwatched · past overwatched

1. transitiveTo watch over.
2. transitiveTo watch excessively.
3. obsoletetransitiveTo overcome with long lack of rest.

1. uncountablegovernmentThe supervision of one unit or vehicle by another while the supervised unit is firing or moving.

   At a further and undefined point in the future, the American force would shrink to about seven and later five brigades — all involved in overwatch missions.

   2007 September 11, Michael R. Gordon, “Petraeus Sees Bigger Role in Protecting Iraqi Civilians”, in New York Times

   1 more example

   “It’s 21st-century warfare,” says another team member, Doshch. And although some of the overwatch can be conducted remotely in bunkers, most of the drone teams (typically four-strong, they say) have to work about 1km behind the front.

   2023 June 17, Dan Sabbagh, “‘It’s 21st-century warfare’: on Ukraine’s counteroffensive frontline”, in The Guardian, →ISSN