What does "stakeout" mean?

The act of watching a location or people, generally covertly.

Stakeout

Common synonyms include: assert, bugging, claim, cloak-and-dagger work, counterespionage, counterintelligence.

noun

noun ·2 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Noun

1
The act of watching a location or people, generally covertly.
"The police had a stakeout in place where they expected the crime to occur."
2
surveillance of some place or some person by the police (as in anticipation of a crime) wordnet

"We learned from the stakeout that she leaves her classroom unlocked after third period while she goes to the bathroom."

Deverbal from stake out.