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
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 was seen placing the devices in surveillance video footage, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said.
—
Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
On Tuesday, the Trump administration laid off thousands of federal health workers, including teams leading HIV surveillance, prevention, and research and a group of global health researchers working to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Police recovered surveillance images of the two men, who both wore hooded jackets.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
In late 2024, the Biden administration devoted more surveillance aircraft to gather information about Houthi targets.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
On Tuesday, the Trump administration laid off thousands of federal health workers, including teams leading HIV surveillance, prevention, and research and a group of global health researchers working to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Police recovered surveillance images of the two men, who both wore hooded jackets.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
In late 2024, the Biden administration devoted more surveillance aircraft to gather information about Houthi targets.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Cite this Entry
“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share