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

• 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

Onlookers at the golf course rushed to aid the two passengers, a pilot and instructor, surveillance footage released by the golf course showed. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025

Cops canvassing the area recovered surveillance footage allegedly of Smith, who was wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts and white sneakers. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025

Cellphone video from a second witness and surveillance camera footage showed that someone in a black ski mask had leaned out the passenger side window of a white car and pointed a gun before the car reversed out of the parking lot and headed for the Eisenhower Expressway. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

In surveillance footage, a suspect can be seen climbing into the turkey’s enclosure, grabbing it and climbing back over the fence. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 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