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 of surveillance

• stewardship
• supervision
• oversight
• management
• control
• policing
• regulation

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

Governments in the region launched a massive response, including traps, sniffer dogs, drone surveillance and most importantly, sterile flies. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

Soon after, Citrus Heights Police asked for the public’s help in finding the two perpetrators, releasing descriptions and surveillance photos from the burglary on social media. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Investigators then turned to surveillance video and building access records to piece together what happened in the hours before police arrived. — Stepheny Price , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Data from the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District’s mosquito surveillance dashboard shows Calumet City, Chicago Ridge, Harvey, Orland Park and Thorton are current hotspots. — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

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