surveillance

[ser-vey-luh ns, -veyl-yuh ns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR surveillance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner, or the like: The suspects were under police surveillance.

continuous observation of a place, person, group, or ongoing activity in order to gather information: video cameras used for covert surveillance.See also electronic surveillance.

attentive observation, as to oversee and direct someone or something: increased surveillance of patients with chronic liver disease.

Origin of surveillance

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

Related formscoun·ter·sur·veil·lance, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for surveillance

control, supervision, scrutiny, examination, vigilance, inspection, care, wiretap, lookout, direction, tap, spying, watch, bug, track, tail, tab, vigil, eye, superintendence

Examples from the Web for surveillance

Contemporary Examples of surveillance

These include having his personal guards conduct 24-hour surveillance outside her home, according to affidavits.
Glock Founder Puts Bullseye on Ex-Wife
Brandy Zadrozny
December 6, 2014
A surveillance video shows the radio car driving directly into the park, just feet from the youngster.
The Cleveland Cops Who Fired 137 Shots and Cried Victim
Michael Daly
December 2, 2014
A senior Pentagon official agreed that there is a shortage of surveillance planes needed to track down ISIS.
Drone ‘Shortage’ Hampers ISIS War
Dave Majumdar
November 18, 2014
They were both caught on surveillance camera outside of Watch Standard.
How to Get Away With Stealing $2 Million in Jewelry in the Heart of New York
John Surico
November 13, 2014
According to reports, he received several standing ovations by railing against the government's surveillance programs.
Rand Paul's Bill Maher Problem
Jamie Weinstein
October 14, 2014

Historical Examples of surveillance

It was only during a pause for breath that he became aware of the surveillance.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
Was it the consciousness of this surveillance that made every one keep the house?
A Day's Ride
Charles James Lever
It was the citoyen Beauvisage, of the Committee of Surveillance.
The Gods are Athirst
Anatole France
After awhile, he became conscious that he was under a sort of surveillance.
White Lies
Charles Reade
And then, released from surveillance, exhausted in mind and body—he fell again.
The Lowest Rung
Mary Cholmondeley

British Dictionary definitions for surveillance

surveillance

noun

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

Derived Formssurveillant, adjective, noun

Word Origin for surveillance

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for surveillance

1802, from French surveillance "oversight, supervision, a watch," noun of action from surveiller "oversee, watch," from sur- "over" + veiller "to watch," from Latin vigilare, from vigil "watchful" (see vigil). Seemingly a word of the Terror in France.

surveillance in Medicine

surveillance

[sər-vā′ləns]

n.

Close observation of a person or group, especially one under suspicion.

The act of observing or the condition of being observed.

The collection, collation, analysis, and dissemination of data.

A type of observational study that involves continuous monitoring of disease occurrence within a population.