sorvegliare

to watch over, to monitor

verb sor-veh-LYAH-reh Rare

Also means

to supervise

Usage Note

Sorvegliare implies active, ongoing surveillance — security cameras sorvegliano a space, a guard sorveglia prisoners. It is stronger than guardare (to watch) and more official than tenere d'occhio (to keep an eye on). The noun is sorveglianza (surveillance), familiar from sorveglianza speciale (court-ordered supervision).

Examples

"Le telecamere sorvegliano l'ingresso."

Natural Translation

The cameras monitor the entrance.

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