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 of surveillance

• stewardship
• supervision
• oversight
• management
• control
• policing
• regulation

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

Buntar plans to use the funding to increase manufacturing capacity, recruit engineering and operations talent, and expand beyond intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance into other defense and civilian applications. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that’s a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

The rebels’ gains gave them better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that’s a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships. — Samy Magdy, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

One of the sharpest exchanges came during a dispute over Flock Safety surveillance cameras. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

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