stakeout

[ steyk-out ]
/ ˈsteɪkˌaʊt /

noun

the surveillance of a location by the police, as in anticipation of a crime or the arrival of a wanted person.
the place from which such surveillance is carried out.
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.

Origin of stakeout

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

Example sentences from the Web for stakeout

  • When you're a reporter it's a stakeout; when you're a blogger, it's just stalking.

    The Year (Ahead) in Media |Rachel Sklar |January 2, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
  • It's your first time with this stakeout business, that's all.

    Sight Gag |Laurence Mark Janifer

British Dictionary definitions for stakeout

stakeout
/ (ˈsteɪkaʊt) slang, mainly US and Canadian /

noun

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

verb stake out

(tr, adverb) to keep under surveillance