watchful waiting

noun

An approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used; during this time, repeated testing may be performed.

Similar
watch and wait
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Meanings

nounwatchful waiting (usually uncountable, plural watchful waitings)

plural watchful waitings

  1. uncountableusuallymedicineAn approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used; during this time, repeated testing may be performed.

    Synonyms: watch and wait

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAn approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used; during this time, repeated testing may be performed.

Similar
watch and wait
Cite this entry
APA

watchful waiting. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/watchful%20waiting

MLA

“watchful waiting.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/watchful%20waiting. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “watchful waiting,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/watchful%20waiting.

Source: watchful waiting on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.