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 attack was caught on surveillance video, according to Verona Police Department Chief Tom Dessell. — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Radhikesh Uttarwar, who is representing Chaudhary, told the court that investigators are still reviewing the surveillance footage to determine whether the man in the video is Chaudhary, according to local outlet Pune Pulse. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Body camera and surveillance footage revealed Buckeye, Arizona Officer Carri Carrico's violent assault of a 37-weeks pregnant Black woman in November 2025, leading to felony charges. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

The GalSafe pigs, as they’re called, are raised in an unmarked facility in rural Virginia, surrounded by razor wire and surveillance cameras. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 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