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surveillance
noun
sur·veil·lance
sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s
also
-ˈvāl-yən(t)s
or
-ˈvā-ən(t)s
: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective)
also
: supervision see also immune surveillance
Synonyms
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
Two men, as seen on surveillance footage released by police, walked into the same fast-food restaurant.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
They were tracked down by detectives using social media conversations and surveillance footage, according to court documents.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024
But just how deep is Meta's surveillance rabbit hole?
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Police investigators, however, found surveillance video linking Hartsfield to the fire, including footage showing a car matching Hartsfield’s in the area before and after the fire.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Witness statements • Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation, and any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras
Top US House Democrat speaks on democracy in Tempe ahead of President Joe Biden's visit 'No Sabo Kids'?
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
But then came the Russian soldiers, along with the Kremlin’s surveillance and oppression.
—Vasco Cotovio, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024
That the new station is legal doesn’t stop suspicion from brewing that China’s research stations could house activities with military utility, including for surveillance purposes.
—Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024
The defense also took issue with the surveillance footage in the parking lot that the prosecutors claimed to see Baker getting into Monica's truck.
—Gabriella Demirdjian, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024
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
Phrases Containing surveillance
Dictionary Entries Near surveillance
Cite this Entry
“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
surveillance
noun
sur·veil·lance
sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s
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
Nglish: Translation of surveillance for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of surveillance for Arabic Speakers
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