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

Hikvision, a Chinese video surveillance company that doesn’t appear on the Pentagon list but has been sanctioned by the Department of Commerce over its involvement in China’s repression of ethnic Uyghurs, also sells its products on Amazon. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025

McIntire was allegedly also captured on surveillance footage at the Kansas City International Airport after. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Erkan’s father identified him to police after surveillance footage captured Erkan fleeing the scene in a 2011 Silver Toyota RAV-4, according to prosecutors. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Vakili said the autopsy report, the deputies’ body camera footage and surveillance footage from a nearby apartment complex have not been released to the family. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 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