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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
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
According to a statement from District Attorney Sean Teare, the 11:30 a.m. arrest took place after surveillance conducted Tuesday confirmed Taake was staying at a home in Leon County, about 100 miles northwest of Houston.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
That is the worst on record in the CDC's influenza surveillance network since late 2009, during the swine flu pandemic.
—
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2025
He was arrested on February 6 in Leon County, Texas, following a surveillance operation conducted by the HCDA Fugitive Apprehension Section, and other law enforcement agencies, per a statement sent to Newsweek by the HCDA.
—
Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
The team of experts is planning for a potential outbreak, focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, prion disease diagnostics, surveillance of livestock and wildlife, risk communication, and education and outreach.
—
Jim Robbin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for surveillance 
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Word History
Phrases Containing surveillance
Dictionary Entries Near surveillance
Cite this Entry
“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on surveillance
Nglish: Translation of surveillance for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of surveillance for Arabic Speakers
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