French word

surveillant

Pronunciation

IPA/syʁvɛjɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsecurity guard

Example

Le surveillant vérifie les caméras.

The security guard checks the cameras.

Illustration for surveillant (security guard)

More examples

Pendant l'examen, le surveillant d'examen ramasse les téléphones.

During the exam, the exam proctor collects the phones.

Core concept

A designated person watching a place and ready to check activity or respond to problems.

Common phrases

  • surveillant d'examen

    exam proctor

  • surveillant de cantine

    cafeteria supervisor

Similar words

agent de sécurité: A security officer who patrols an area and controls entry points for safety.
gardien: A building or facility guard who oversees entry and cares for the equipment.
vigile: A guard placed at an event or store to keep order and deter disturbances.
contrôleur: A checker who verifies compliance with rules or validates tickets and reports violations.

Definition in French

Personne employée pour observer et contrôler le comportement ou la sécurité dans un lieu donné, comme un établissement scolaire ou une entreprise.

Word origin

Surveillant is formed from French surveiller with the agentive ending -ant; surveiller comes from Old French surveillier and ultimately from Latin supervigilare.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, surveillant is masculine, with surveillante as the feminine form; surveillant is also the present participle of surveiller.

Other meanings

  • supervisornoun
  • watchmannoun

Related words

Word lists with this word