surveillance

noun

: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective)

Examples of surveillance in a Sentence

government surveillance of suspected terrorists The bank robbery was recorded by surveillance video cameras.
Recent Examples on the Web Martinez said the chamber is seeking surveillance video from nearby establishments to share with authorities. Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024 Milwaukee police recovered surveillance video of the crash, which shows a white Toyota Camry driving westbound on Wisconsin Avenue at a high rate of speed. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 9 July 2024 In the grainy surveillance video, captured by a few of her alert followers, the rapper born Danielle Bregoli is seen fighting with Le Vaughn, the father of her baby daughter, outside of a home. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 9 July 2024 Criminals in some of the crimes captured on surveillance video wore masks. Glenn Minnis | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for surveillance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surveillance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- + veiller to watch, from Old French veillier, from Latin vigilare, from vigil watchful — more at vigil

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surveillance was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near surveillance

Cite this Entry

“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

surveillance

noun
sur·​veil·​lance sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s How to pronounce surveillance (audio)
 also  -ˈvāl-yən(t)s,
 or  -ˈvā-ən(t)s
: close watch
under surveillance

Medical Definition

surveillance

noun
sur·​veil·​lance
sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s also -ˈvāl-yən(t)s or -ˈvā-ən(t)s
: close and continuous observation or testing
serological surveillance
see immune surveillance

More from Merriam-Webster on surveillance

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