surveillance

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

/ sərˈveɪ ləns, -ˈveɪl yəns /

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.

Nearby words

surtout, surtsey, suruga bay, surv., surveil, surveillance, surveillance society, surveillant, survey, survey course, survey.

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 forms

coun·ter·sur·veil·lance, noun

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The announcement sounded like a threat of surveillance, and Coronado's dark cheek turned darker with angry blood.
Overland|John William De Forest
I myself took the plate out of a packet just previously ripped up, under the surveillance of my two detectives.
The Problems of Psychical Research|Hereward Carrington
Together they could never escape the surveillance of Mr. Hobbs; parted, he would be obliged to follow one or the other.
The Black Bag|Louis Joseph Vance
It ought not to be difficult to trace a man who had come more than once under the surveillance of the police.
The Four Pools Mystery|Jean Webster
All four were sitting in the swing one warm spring day, under the surveillance of Billy's aunt, sewing on the veranda.
Miss Minerva and William Green Hill|Frances Boyd Calhoun

British Dictionary definitions for surveillance

surveillance

/ (sɜːˈveɪləns) /

noun

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

Derived Forms

surveillant, 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

Medicine definitions for surveillance

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.