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

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

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