vigilaron

Vigilaron is the third-person plural form of the Spanish verb vigilar in the pretérito indefinido, used to describe an action in the past in which a group of people or entities watched, monitored, or guarded something. The sense ranges from keeping someone safe to supervising a process or observing an area. As a regular -ar verb, vigilar is widely used across regional varieties of Spanish.

Origin and conjugation: The verb vigilar derives from Latin vigilare, related to vigilia meaning watchfulness. In the pretérito indefinido, the endings for -ar verbs apply: yo vigilé, tú vigilaste, él/ella/Ud. vigiló, nosotros vigilamos, vosotros vigilasteis, ellos vigilaron.

Usage notes and examples: It can take a direct object, as in vigilar una puerta (to watch over a door), or express supervision over a period of time, as in vigilar durante horas. It can also be used with a to-person phrase meaning to watch over someone: vigilar a un niño. Examples: Los guardias vigilaron la entrada durante la noche. Los investigadores vigilaron las condiciones de las muestras.