Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Surveillance /sẽrv-āl'-əns/ · Sur·veil·lance · IPA /sɚˈveɪ.ləns/ 01 n. Oversight; watch; inspection; supervision. 1. Oversight; watch; inspection; supervision. “That sort of surveillance of which . . . the young have accused the old.” — Sir W. Scott.