Surveillance: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in formal or official contexts where there is a continuous and systematic observation, often involving security or law enforcement.

• The police set up surveillance to catch the suspect
• The government uses surveillance cameras to monitor public spaces

Appropriate for scenarios involving checking or tracking progress or performance over time, often in a work, medical, or technological context.

• The doctor is monitoring the patient's recovery
• The company is monitoring its sales performance

Generally used for scientific, academic, or casual watchfulness, without the implication of continuous or covert watch.

• The scientist made several important observations during the experiment
• The student sat quietly, making observations for her art project

Commonly used in informal settings for casual or leisure activities, such as viewing something attentively.

• She was watching a movie
• The kids spent the afternoon watching the construction workers

Used when monitoring or observing people, places, or activities for security, law enforcement, or official purposes. This term is neutral and often used in formal settings.

• The police put the suspect under surveillance to gather more evidence.
• The store uses video surveillance to prevent theft.

Conveys secretly collecting information, often for political, military, or competitive advantage. It has a strong negative and clandestine connotation.

• The government suspected him of spying for a foreign country.
• Corporate espionage involves employees spying on rival companies.

Refers to prying into someone’s private matters or belongings, usually with a sense of being nosy or intrusive. It has a negative connotation.

• She was caught snooping through her friend's emails.
• Snooping around someone's desk is a breach of trust.

Implies listening to conversations secretly without the knowledge of the participants. Often considered unethical or intrusive.

• He was caught eavesdropping on their private conversation.
• Eavesdropping on phone calls without permission is illegal.