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.
Police are still searching for the man who attacked Young and Chanel after releasing surveillance footage of the suspect late Friday. Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025 Kevin Jiang Kevin Jiang/Instagram Police obtained video surveillance from a nearby residence. Emma Steele, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025 That’s one reason why in recent years, military help at the border has been limited to more passive forms of assistance, such as surveillance and transportation. Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025 Authorities spoke with witnesses and reviewed video surveillance, finding Webster and Spalding got into an argument, according to the report. Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 25 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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