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
Advertisement The shirtless suspect was captured on surveillance video wearing a white baseball cap and gray sweatpants.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
Other characteristics include: Overbearing rules Constant surveillance Strict decision-making control by one parent
How to identify it
When identifying abusive and controlling family dynamics, look for patterns rather than isolated incidents, says Klass.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2024
Earlier this year, CNN published hotel surveillance video from 2016 which shows Combs grabbing and beating Ventura and throwing an object at her.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 18 Sep. 2024
But Mossad's early rudimentary operations quickly developed into more sophisticated methods combined with advanced surveillance and cyber capabilities.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surveillance 
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
Other characteristics include: Overbearing rules Constant surveillance Strict decision-making control by one parent
How to identify it
When identifying abusive and controlling family dynamics, look for patterns rather than isolated incidents, says Klass.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2024
Earlier this year, CNN published hotel surveillance video from 2016 which shows Combs grabbing and beating Ventura and throwing an object at her.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 18 Sep. 2024
But Mossad's early rudimentary operations quickly developed into more sophisticated methods combined with advanced surveillance and cyber capabilities.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surveillance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surveillance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near surveillance
Cite this Entry
“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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