surveillance

noun

: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective)

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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for surveillance 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveillance was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near surveillance

Cite this Entry

“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

surveillance

noun
sur·​veil·​lance sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
 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

More from Merriam-Webster on surveillance

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