surveillance

noun

sur·​veil·​lance sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s 

also

-ˈvāl-yən(t)s 

or

-ˈvā-ən(t)s 

: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective)

also : supervision see also immune surveillance

Synonyms

• care
• charge
• guidance
• headship
• oversight
• regulation
• stewardship
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

Examples of surveillance in a Sentence

government surveillance of suspected terrorists

The bank robbery was recorded by surveillance video cameras.

Recent Examples on the Web

Police scoured the area near the drop-off and recovered surveillance footage of the three suspects at a local bodega. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 July 2024

The victims spotted the surveillance and notified the Natick Police, who began to investigate. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 19 July 2024

The rural Mississippi jail that was the site of an escape involving two murder suspects earlier this month was having surveillance camera issues at the time, ABC News has learned. —Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 19 July 2024

According to the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD), based on interviews with family and friends and a review of surveillance footage, Harris spent the evening of March 3 at his off-campus apartment on the 1900 block of Ennis Joslin Road with his roommates and a mutual friend. —David Chiu, Peoplemag, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- + veiller to watch, from Old French veillier, from Latin vigilare, from vigil watchful — more at vigil

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing surveillance

• counter-surveillance
• electronic surveillance
• immune surveillance
• immunological surveillance
• keep under surveillance

Kids Definition

surveillance

noun

sur·​veil·​lance sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s 

 also  -ˈvāl-yən(t)s,

 or  -ˈvā-ən(t)s

: close watch

under surveillance

Medical Definition

surveillance

noun

sur·​veil·​lance

sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s also -ˈvāl-yən(t)s or -ˈvā-ən(t)s

: close and continuous observation or testing

serological surveillance

see immune surveillance