surveillance

[ ser-vey-luhns, -veyl-yuhns ]

noun

1. a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner, or the like:

   The suspects were under police surveillance.

2. continuous observation of a place, person, group, or ongoing activity in order to gather information: electronic surveillance.

   video cameras used for covert surveillance.

3. attentive observation, as to oversee and direct someone or something:

   increased surveillance of patients with chronic liver disease.

surveillance

/ sɜːˈveɪləns /

noun

1. close observation or supervision maintained over a person, group, etc, esp one in custody or under suspicion

Derived Forms

• surˈveillant, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• counter·sur·veillance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of surveillance¹

1790–1800; < French, equivalent to surveill ( er ) to watch over ( sur- sur- ¹ + veiller < Latin vigilāre to watch; vigil ) + -ance -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of surveillance¹

C19: from French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- ¹+ veiller to keep watch (from Latin vigilāre; see vigil )

Example Sentences

This is not about gathering intelligence or expanding surveillance.

From The Daily Beast

These include having his personal guards conduct 24-hour surveillance outside her home, according to affidavits.

From The Daily Beast

A surveillance video shows the radio car driving directly into the park, just feet from the youngster.

From The Daily Beast

Currently, real-time surveillance systems of disease do not exist.

From The Daily Beast

Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, is home to a strategically important base for Pentagon surveillance missions.

From The Daily Beast

Involved in a military plot in 1822, he was sent to Issoudun, under the surveillance of the police.

From Project Gutenberg

In suicidal cases it is especially in the morning hours that patients need the closest surveillance.

From Project Gutenberg

The announcement sounded like a threat of surveillance, and Coronado's dark cheek turned darker with angry blood.

From Project Gutenberg

He was holding the cowman under surveillance, ready to report or shoot on the first proof of his real purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

Yourself and Monsieur Giraud are doubtless under surveillance also.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• care
• control
• examination
• inspection
• scrutiny
• supervision
• vigilance
• wiretap