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

The powerful frigate will bolster the country’s defense and will also be able to conduct long-range surveillance missions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025

American surveillance drones operated from the bases, using high-tech cameras to peer through thick forest to locate terror groups. —Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Publicly available arrest records seen by Newsweek said Henderson faces two felony charges of disseminating surveillance imagery and unlawful surveillance. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

At the time, Schmitt and Moody were a part of the Republican Attorneys General Association, which was also under surveillance by Smith. —Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Nov. 2025

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