surveillance

Syllables:
sur·veil·lan·ce
4 syllables
surveillance in syllables

About "surveillance"

Syllables
4
Letters
12
Language
EN

How to Split "surveillance" into Syllables

The word surveillance is divided into 4 syllables: sur·veil·lan·ce. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • sur — 1st syllable
  • veil — 2nd syllable
  • lan — 3rd syllable
  • ce — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of surveillance:

  • IPA: /sɚˈveɪ.ləns/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. surveillance (countable and uncountable, plural surveillances)
  2. Close observation of an individual or group; person or persons under suspicion.

📚 Word Origin & History

Unadapted borrowing from French surveillance (“a watching over, overseeing, supervision”), from surveiller (“to watch, oversee”), from sur- (“over”) + veiller (“to watch”), from Middle French, from Old French veillier (“to stay awake”), from Latin vigilāre (“to be watchful”). More at vigilant. Unadapted borrowing from French surveillance. From surveiller +‎ -ance.

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down surveillance into syllables helps with:

  • Correct pronunciation — Knowing syllable structure ensures accurate speech
  • Improved spelling — Breaking words into chunks makes them easier to remember and write
  • Reading fluency — Recognizing syllable patterns speeds up reading comprehension
  • Poetry and lyrics — Syllable counting is essential for meter and rhythm
  • Language learning — Non-native speakers benefit from syllable awareness

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to surveillance:

surd, sure, surf, Surat, surge, surly, Surya, surety.

Frequently Asked Questions About "surveillance"

How many syllables does "surveillance" have?

surveillance has 4 syllables: sur·veil·lan·ce. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "surveillance"?

The stress is on the first syllable: sur. This means you emphasize the "sur" part when pronouncing surveillance.

How do you pronounce "surveillance"?

surveillance is pronounced as /sɚˈveɪ.ləns/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: sur·veil·lan·ce.

Is "surveillance" easy to spell?

Breaking surveillance into syllables helps with spelling: sur·veil·lan·ce. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "surveillance" into syllables?

Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.