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

Last May, a 2016 hotel surveillance video exclusively shared by CNN showed Combs kicking, hitting and dragging Ventura Fine – actions that were first described in her legal complaint. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025

On the first day of the trial on Monday, May 12, jurors saw surveillance video of the music mogul beating and kicking Ventura in an elevator bank at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. —Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 14 May 2025

Video of hotel attack is central evidence With the prosecution’s first witness on the stand, the jury was shown surveillance video of Combs beating and kicking Ventura in a California hotel in 2016. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

Using human verbatim transcription services can help preserve the nuanced details of witness statements, depositions and surveillance audio. —Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 13 May 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