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

Davis said surveillance video appeared to show one shooting in front of a store where two people were struck after suspects fired from a passing vehicle. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026

The surveillance networks and rapid-response infrastructure built painstakingly after the 2014 West Africa epidemic which killed more than 11,000 people and exposed catastrophic gaps in global preparedness are thinner than before. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Investigators located surveillance footage showing a white Kia sedan approaching a victim before the victim fell to the ground. —S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 18 May 2026

Officers reviewed hospital surveillance footage to identify a man who was subsequently arrested, police said. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 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