noun
surveillance
suh-VAY-luhns
noun
1
Close, ongoing observation of a person, group, or place, especially to gather information or watch for wrongdoing.
"The suspect was placed under police surveillance."
"The shop uses camera surveillance to deter shoplifting."
How to Use Surveillance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClose, continuous watching, often for security or investigative purposes.
Common pairings
under surveillance
surveillance camera
surveillance footage
Word Forms
surveillances plural
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The suspect was placed under police _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from French surveillance, from surveiller ("to watch over"), from sur- ("over") + veiller ("to watch"), from Latin vigilare ("to be watchful") — the same root as "vigilant".