surveil

verb

sur·​veil sər-ˈvāl How to pronounce surveil (audio)
surveilled; surveilling

transitive verb

: to subject to surveillance

Examples of surveil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, the primary purpose of the unmarked vehicles is to surveil criminal behavior without being identified as law enforcement, the Fresno Police Department said. Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025 Fighting the parasite with sterile flies Since the first border shutdown to cattle imports, the United States and Mexico have ramped up efforts to surveil, detect and eradicate new cases of New World screwworm. Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025 Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have for years worked alongside private mine security to surveil the largely peaceful protesters who oppose the mine, called Thacker Pass, according to more than 2,000 pages of internal law enforcement communications reviewed by ProPublica. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 23 July 2025 The helicopter used to surveil the scene from above did not see anything suspicious, according to officers. Danielle Bacher, People.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for surveil

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from surveillance

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveil was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surveil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveil. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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