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 The defense also took issue with the surveillance footage in the parking lot that the prosecutors claimed to see Baker getting into Monica's truck. Gabriella Demirdjian, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024 Identification of a suspect’s vehicle, a review of surveillance camera footage and forensic analysis of the crime scene led investigators to the suspects, Brown said. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 The post included surveillance from the area that included a view of males driving away from the area after the shooting. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Boyd’s Equinox was captured by surveillance footage and license plate readers near where Manning’s body was found, the news outlet reported. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Most modern home security systems rely on a Wi-Fi signal for burglar alarms and surveillance equipment, including doorbell cameras. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 More concerning to the EFF specifically is how Proposition E allows for a certain level of secrecy around surveillance technologies trialed by SFPD, for as long as a year without being disclosed, Hussain says. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 The surveillance footage obtained by the Journal Sentinel from a nearby property owner does not appear to show a fall. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The police have received new funding, including for better surveillance equipment, but the profit motive for thieves — as much as 20,000 Canadian dollars, or $14,800 per car — has, so far, made the problem intractable. Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surveillance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 18 Mar. 2024.

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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