Definition

1. Noun:
   • Close observation of a person or group (usually by the police): The act of carefully watching someone or something, especially a person suspected of a crime, over a period of time.

Usage

The word "surveillance" is an uncountable noun. It describes the general activity or state of being watched. It is most commonly used in contexts related to security, law enforcement, intelligence, and monitoring. It often implies a systematic, secretive, or continuous watch.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The suspect was placed under constant police surveillance.
  • The government increased surveillance at the airport after the security threat.
  • Employee surveillance through computer monitoring is a controversial topic.

Advanced Usage

• "To be under surveillance": To be the subject of close observation.
  • The building was under surveillance for weeks before the raid.
• "Electronic surveillance": Observation using electronic devices like cameras, wiretaps, or tracking software.
  • The court authorized electronic surveillance of the suspect's phone.
• "Mass surveillance": The pervasive surveillance of an entire or a substantial fraction of a population.
  • Debates about privacy often focus on the ethics of mass surveillance.

Variants and Related Words

• Surveillant (noun, rare): A person who carries out surveillance.
• Survey (verb): To look over or examine broadly. (Note: This is a different but etymologically related word; it does not mean the same as "surveillance").

Synonyms

• Observation: The action or process of closely observing or monitoring.
• Monitoring: The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time.
• Scrutiny: Critical observation or examination. (Often implies more intense, detailed examination than general surveillance).
• Watch: The act of looking attentively or being on the lookout.

Antonyms

• Neglect: The state of being uncared for or not being watched over.
• Privacy: The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people.

Related Phrases

• Surveillance camera: A video camera used for observation.
  • Surveillance cameras are installed throughout the city center.
• Surveillance state: A country where the government extensively monitors its citizens' activities.
  • Critics accused the regime of creating a surveillance state.

Noun

1. close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)