Home › Military Science & Warfare › Aerospace Defense & Drones › Surveillance

Surveillance

sur-VAY-luhns /sərˈveɪləns/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

Close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.

It implies continuous, systematic monitoring, often covertly, for security, intelligence, or control purposes.

The story behind the word. The word 'surveillance' comes to us from French, derived from 'surveiller,' meaning 'to watch over.' This verb itself is a combination of 'sur-' (meaning 'over' or 'upon') and 'veiller' (meaning 'to watch'). So, 'surveillance' literally means 'watching over,' perfectly capturing the essence of continuous, close observation, often with a protective or investigative intent.

Word relationships

monitoring: More general, can apply to any continuous observation, not necessarily covert or for security.
observation: Broadest term, can be casual or formal, but lacks the implication of systematic scrutiny for a purpose.

neglect: Lack of attention or observation.
ignorance: Lack of knowledge or awareness due to not observing.

Commonly confused with

reconnaissance: Surveillance is continuous monitoring; reconnaissance is a preliminary, often one-time, information-gathering mission.

Word family

surveil (verb): to keep under surveillance

Collocations

electronic surveillance
aerial surveillance
conduct surveillance
surveillance camera
mass surveillance

Example sentences

"The security team maintained constant surveillance of the building's perimeter using a network of high-definition cameras." Security operations
"Concerns about government surveillance programs have sparked debates about privacy rights in the digital age." Public debate

Memory hook

Think of 'SUR' (over) and 'VEIL' (like a watchful eye behind a veil) – watching over something covertly. Constant Watch

When not to use

Do not use 'surveillance' for casual or brief observation; it implies a sustained and often strategic watch.

Fun facts

The term gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly with the rise of organized police forces.
Modern surveillance often involves advanced technologies like facial recognition, AI, and satellite imagery.