Wake (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used without object), waked or woke [wohk], /woʊk/, waked or wok·en [woh-kuhn], /ˈwoʊ kən/, wak·ing.
  1. to become roused from sleep; awake; awaken; waken (often followed by up).
  2. to become roused from a tranquil or inactive state; awaken; waken: to wake from one's daydreams.
  3. to become cognizant or aware of something; awaken; waken: to wake to the true situation.
  4. to be or continue to be awake: Whether I wake or sleep, I think of you.
  5. to remain awake for some purpose, duty, etc.:I will wake until you return.
  6. to hold a wake over a corpse.
  7. to keep watch or vigil.
verb (used with object), waked or woke [wohk], /woʊk/, waked or wok·en [woh-kuhn], /ˈwoʊ kən/, wak·ing.
  1. to rouse from sleep; awake; awaken; waken (often followed by up): Don't wake me for breakfast. Wake me up at six o'clock.
  2. to rouse from lethargy, apathy, ignorance, etc. (often followed by up): The tragedy woke us up to the need for safety precautions.
  3. to hold a wake for or over (a dead person).
  4. to keep watch or vigil over.
noun
  1. a watching, or a watch kept, especially for some solemn or ceremonial purpose.
  2. a watch or vigil by the body of a dead person before burial, sometimes accompanied by feasting or merrymaking.
  3. a local annual festival in England, formerly held in honor of the patron saint or on the anniversary of the dedication of a church but now usually having little or no religious significance.
  4. the state of being awake: between sleep and wake.
noun
  1. the track of waves left by a ship or other object moving through the water: The wake of the boat glowed in the darkness.
  2. the path or course of anything that has passed or preceded: The tornado left ruin in its wake.
Idioms
  1. in the wake of,
    • as a result of: An investigation followed in the wake of the scandal.
    • succeeding; following: in the wake of the pioneers.
verb wakes, waking, woke or woken
  1. to rouse or become roused from sleep
  2. to rouse or become roused from inactivity
  3. to become conscious or aware
  4. to be or remain awake
  5. to arouse (feelings etc)
  6. to hold a wake over (a corpse)
  7. to keep watch over
  8. to face up to reality, especially in an unpleasant situation
noun
  1. a watch or vigil held over the body of a dead person during the night before burial
  2. (in Ireland) festivities held after a funeral
  3. the patronal or dedication festival of English parish churches
  4. a solemn or ceremonial vigil
  5. an annual holiday in any of various towns in northern England, when the local factory or factories close, usually for a week or two weeks
  6. the state of being awake
noun
  1. the waves or track left by a vessel or other object moving through water
  2. the track or path left by anything that has passed
Wake (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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