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
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
Photo-illustration: Anjali Nair; Getty Images With President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the US government’s digital surveillance machine more powerful than ever, digital privacy should be top of mind.
—
Matt Burgess, Wired News, 26 May 2025
That letter decried the role of the ECtHR in adjudicating matters related to deportation and surveillance of migrants, among other matters.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Detectives immediately launched an investigation and found surveillance video showing a male suspect leaving the apartment around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Anyone with video surveillance or information related to the shooting is encouraged to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at (714) 878-5640.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for surveillance
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Matt Burgess, Wired News, 26 May 2025
That letter decried the role of the ECtHR in adjudicating matters related to deportation and surveillance of migrants, among other matters.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Detectives immediately launched an investigation and found surveillance video showing a male suspect leaving the apartment around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Anyone with video surveillance or information related to the shooting is encouraged to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at (714) 878-5640.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for surveillance
Cite this Entry
“Surveillance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surveillance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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