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

Shortly after the burglary, around 5:41 a.m., investigators with East Haven police set up surveillance to execute a search warrant at 125 Pleasant St. in New Britain. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2025

Young people explained they had been socialized to anticipate workplace surveillance—one structured not by current employee monitoring, but instead by the acts of potential—or imagined—surveillance. —Brooke Erin Duffy, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The prosecution presented surveillance video showing Mr. Mayers holding a gun before the shooting in support of its claim. —Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Much of the evidence outlined in the FBI complaint is from cellphone data, surveillance video and license-plate readers that allegedly place the defendants in the vicinity of the burglaries. —Curt Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 19 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