surveillance

noun

sur·​veil·​lance sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
also
-ˈvāl-yən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
or
-ˈvā-ən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
Synonyms of surveillancenext
: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective)
also : supervision see also immune surveillance

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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.
Officers identified them from surveillance footage. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 Those who witnessed the accident or have surveillance video or other relevant information have been asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 His vehicle was also spotted on surveillance video near the crime scenes. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024 In one case, an off-duty Sheffield police officer was caught on surveillance footage punching and pulling a gun on a Black man at a liquor store. —CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024 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

Phrases Containing surveillance

Dictionary Entries Near surveillance

surveil

surveillance

surveillant

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of surveillance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of surveillance for Arabic Speakers

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