Surveil: meaning, definitions and examples

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surveil

 

[ sษ™rหˆveษชl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

security

To carefully observe and monitor someone or something, especially for the purpose of gathering information or preventing illegal activities.

Synonyms

monitor, observe, watch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surveil

Used in formal or technical contexts to describe the methodical and systematic observation of a place, person, group, or data over a period, often for the purpose of information gathering or security.

  • The police decided to surveil the suspects for several weeks before making an arrest.
  • Intelligence agencies have been known to surveil communications to maintain national security.
monitor

Commonly used in both professional and daily contexts, it implies ongoing observation or checking, often using specific tools or systems, to ensure that everything is functioning correctly or to detect any changes.

  • The health worker needed to monitor the patient's vital signs continuously.
  • We need to monitor the project's progress closely to meet the deadline.
watch

A very general term used in casual and formal contexts, it implies looking at something or someone attentively over a period, often for enjoyment, interest, or to guard.

  • We sat on the hill to watch the sunset.
  • Make sure you watch the children while they play near the pool.
  • He likes to watch football on weekends.
observe

Often used in everyday speech and scientific contexts, it usually means to carefully watch something or someone with intent to understand or discover something.

  • Researchers observe animal behavior to gain insights into their habits.
  • From my window, I can observe the children playing in the park.

Examples of usage

  • The security cameras surveil the entrance to the building 24/7.
  • The police surveil the suspect's movements to gather evidence.
  • We need to surveil the area to ensure the safety of the event.

Translations

Translations of the word "surveil" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น vigiar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฟเค—เคฐเคพเคจเฅ€ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รผberwachen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ memantau

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะพัั‚ะตั€ั–ะณะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nadzorowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็›ฃ่ฆ–ใ™ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท surveiller

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ supervisar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถzlemlemek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ์‹œํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุตุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sledovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sledovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็›‘่ง†

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ opazovati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fylgjast meรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐา›ั‹ะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒœแƒ˜แƒขแƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒœแƒ’แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nษ™zarษ™t etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ supervisar

Etymology

The word 'surveil' is a relatively modern addition to the English language, deriving from the French word 'surveiller' which means to watch over or guard. It gained popularity in the context of security and surveillance technologies in the late 20th century.