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

• care
• charge
• guidance
• headship
• oversight
• regulation
• stewardship
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

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

The suspect, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and face covering, was seen on surveillance footage planting the two pipe bombs the night before the election certification was set to take place at the U.S. Capitol. —Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025

What To Know Authorities had relied on forensics and video surveillance to identify the victim, who died after being set on fire inside a Brooklyn subway car. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

Davidson was caught on video surveillance from street corner cameras throwing an e-bike onto the road and chasing one minor until the minor fell to the ground, court records said. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2025

Video surveillance from the complex showed a man walking from the apartment to the dumpster and throwing something inside before leaving in a vehicle. —Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024

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