electronic surveillance

American  

noun

1. surveillance or the gathering of information by surreptitious use of electronic devices, as in crime detection or espionage.

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electronic surveillance British  

noun

1. the use of such electronic devices as television monitors, video cameras, etc, to prevent burglary, shop lifting, break-ins, etc

2. monitoring events, conversations, etc, at a distance by electronic means, esp by such covert means as wiretapping or bugging

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Etymology

Origin of electronic surveillance

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electronic surveillance

The wall will be supplemented by electronic surveillance and other devices, which would be installed by "about July, maybe at the latest August 2028," Scott said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

They couldn’t understand or anticipate that there would be things like cellphones and electronic surveillance.

From Salon ● Jan. 23, 2026

He proposes to protect the country’s border using electronic surveillance and digital controls and to criminalize illegal entry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025

Prisoners are risk assessed before release and are subject a number of conditions afterwards, including electronic surveillance and residence at an approved address.

From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2024

At the time, statutes governing electronic surveillance were nebulous, and Burns was an avid user of a Dictograph—a primitive listening device that could be concealed in anything from a clock to a chandelier.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann