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surveillance

ser-VAY-luns /sərˈveɪləns/

nounB2GRETOEFL

formaltechnical

Close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.

Implies a systematic, often secretive, monitoring process, typically by authorities, for intelligence gathering or security purposes.

The story behind the word. The word 'surveillance' comes to us from the French 'surveiller,' meaning 'to watch over.' This French verb is a combination of 'sur' (meaning 'over' or 'upon') and 'veiller' (meaning 'to watch,' which itself comes from the Latin 'vigilare,' 'to be watchful' or 'awake'). So, when you're under surveillance, someone is literally 'watching over' you.

Word relationships

monitoring: Broader term, can be less intrusive or systematic than surveillance.
observation: General act of watching; lacks the specific, often secretive or official, connotation of surveillance.
espionage: Focuses on spying, often by one state on another, for political or military intelligence.

neglect: Lack of attention or care.
ignorance: Lack of knowledge or awareness.

Commonly confused with

vigilance: Vigilance is the state of being watchful; surveillance is the act or system of watching.

Word family

surveil (verb): To keep under surveillance.
surveillant (noun): One who surveils; an overseer.

Collocations

electronic surveillance
covert surveillance
video surveillance
under surveillance
surveillance camera
surveillance state

Example sentences

"The police maintained constant electronic surveillance on the suspect's apartment for weeks, hoping to gather enough evidence for an arrest." Describing police methods during an investigation.
"The widespread use of facial recognition technology raises significant concerns about mass surveillance and individual privacy rights." Discussing privacy concerns in the digital age.

Memory hook

Imagine a 'SURF-VEIL-ance' camera watching over surfers on the beach, hidden behind a thin veil. Surf-Veil-Watch

When not to use

Do not use for casual observation or simply looking at something. It implies a deliberate, often prolonged, and systematic watch.

Fun facts

The term 'surveillance' gained prominence in the 18th century, particularly in the context of policing and state control.
Modern surveillance methods have evolved dramatically from simple observation to complex digital data analysis.