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

What Maryland's surveillance pricing law actually does The Protection from Predatory Pricing Act sets some clear ground rules for large grocery retailers. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Allen was detained near the main magnetometer area for the event, with surveillance video showing the suspect running past security officials. —David Brennan, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

In Limon’s bedroom, detectives found Bristy’s coin purse, USF identification card, sneakers, and the umbrella she was last seen carrying in the campus surveillance video. —Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

Its capabilities include surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and special operations support, alongside traditional anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare roles. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 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