surveillance

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

/ sərˈveɪ ləns, -ˈveɪl yəns /

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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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM surveillance

coun·ter·sur·veil·lance, noun

Words nearby surveillance

surtout, Surtsey, Suruga Bay, surv., surveil, surveillance, surveillance society, surveillant, survey, survey course, surveying

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use surveillance in a sentence

A day later, he had the employee use Tor, web browsing software designed to evade surveillance, to set up a Bitcoin wallet to accept the payment.
The FBI broke up a Russian hacker plot to extort millions from Tesla|Aaron Pressman|August 28, 2020|Fortune
Williams learned that in investigating a theft from the store, a facial recognition system had tagged his driver’s license photo as matching the surveillance image.
The Bias in the Machine - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Sidney Perkowitz|August 19, 2020|Nautilus
We’re already starting to see police departments and technology providers move beyond static, retrospective face recognition systems to live video analytics that are integrated with other types of data streams like audio gunshot surveillance systems.
There is a crisis of face recognition and policing in the US|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Last week, the city’s Public Safety Committee approved the first draft of an ordinance intended to set new rules around the use and acquisition of surveillance gear.
Smart Streetlights Are Now Exclusively a Tool for Police|Jesse Marx|July 20, 2020|Voice of San Diego

After years of mounting frustration and criticism over the mission creep of San Diego’s smart streetlights program, the City Council is poised to begin debating the merits of a surveillance ordinance.
Morning Report: How We Got Here With Smart Streetlights|Voice of San Diego|July 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
This is not about gathering intelligence or expanding surveillance.
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe About Dealing with Terrorists|Scott Beauchamp|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
Currently, real-time surveillance systems of disease do not exist.
The Secret to Tracking Ebola, MERS, and Flu? Sewers|Wudan Yan|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, is home to a strategically important base for Pentagon surveillance missions.
An African Dictatorship’s Friend in D.C.|Center for Public Integrity|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Involved in a military plot in 1822, he was sent to Issoudun, under the surveillance of the police.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
In suicidal cases it is especially in the morning hours that patients need the closest surveillance.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
The announcement sounded like a threat of surveillance, and Coronado's dark cheek turned darker with angry blood.
Overland|John William De Forest
He was holding the cowman under surveillance, ready to report or shoot on the first proof of his real purpose.
Two Boys in Wyoming|Edward S. Ellis
Yourself and Monsieur Giraud are doubtless under surveillance also.
Dross|Henry Seton Merriman

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 of surveillance

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

surveillance

Origin of surveillance

OTHER WORDS FROM surveillance

Words nearby surveillance

Words related to surveillance

How to use surveillance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for surveillance

Derived forms of surveillance

Word Origin for surveillance