noun

surveillance

monitoring, observation, scrutiny

The police kept the suspect under surveillance.

The police kept the suspect under surveillance.

CCTV surveillance is common in city centres.

CCTV surveillance is common in city centers.

under surveillance being watched closely The police kept the suspect under surveillance.

surveillance of ((sth./sb.)) the act of watching (sth./sb.) The surveillance of the building was constant.

Synonyms: observation, scrutiny, monitoring

From French, from 'sur-' (over) + 'veiller' (to watch). Literally 'watching over'.

Break it down: 'sur-' means 'over' and '-veillance' sounds like 'veil'. Imagine watching 'over' someone from behind a 'veil'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.