stakeout

[ steyk-out ]

noun

1. the surveillance of a location by the police, as in anticipation of a crime or the arrival of a wanted person.
2. the place from which such surveillance is carried out.
3. something that is bounded or separated by or as if by stakes, especially property, territory, or the like that one identifies or claims as one's own.

stakeout

/ ˈsteɪkaʊt /

noun

1. a police surveillance of an area, house, or criminal suspect
2. an area or house kept under such surveillance

verb

1. tr, adverb to keep under surveillance

Word History and Origins

Origin of stakeout¹

First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase stake out

Example Sentences

The music cues are refreshingly offbeat; a character whispers the “Green Acres” theme during a nighttime stakeout in a corn field, and the show reprises its fondness for the novelty songs of Roger Miller.

From New York Times

During one stakeout, a surveillance team caught two employees having sex at the Mission station.

From Los Angeles Times

Tuesday’s “Supermarket Stakeout” reached more than 11.4 million viewers, which is an 11% hike from its previous season.

From Salon

Garland is strongest with impressions: chirping birds over bloody lawns, the laconic humor of exhausted soldiers on a stakeout, a quick shot of Lee deleting some of her own photos, a private mode of self-care.

From Los Angeles Times

Campbell’s Hallmark credits include, but are not limited to, “Holiday Hearts,” “Once Upon a Holiday,” “A Godwink Christmas” and “The Santa Stakeout.”

From Salon