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Definition of surveil

surveil

/sərˈveɪl/
sur · veil
Adjective:surveillant
•
Past Simple:surveilled
•
Past Participle:surveilled
•
Present Participle:surveilling
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surveil Lexical Profile

surveil Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To keep a person, place, or activity under close and continuous observation or scrutiny.

Example

"Security cameras surveil the museum galleries around the clock to protect the priceless artwork."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for surveil
Antonyms
View all antonyms for surveil

Word Nuance & Usage

Notice that 'surveil' is spelled with a single 'l' in base form, though the past tense and participle forms double the 'l' in both American and British English ('surveilled', 'surveilling') to match the noun 'surveillance'.

• Rhymes for surveil

• Nearby Words

surrounding
surroundings
surtax
surveil
surveillance
survey
surveying

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century as an American English back-formation from the noun 'surveillance', which was borrowed from French 'surveiller' ('to watch over'), ultimately from Latin 'vigilare' ('to keep awake or watch').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Surveil. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/surveil
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