ENGLISH
REFERENCE

CCTV

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsiˌsiˈtiˌvi// cctv

n. Stands for Closed-Circuit Television. A system of cameras that send video to a specific set of monitors. People use it to watch and protect buildings or public areas.

n. Abbreviation for Closed-Circuit Television. A television system in which signals are not publicly broadcast but are transmitted to a limited set of monitors for surveillance and security purposes. Often functions as an attributive modifier before other nouns.


SIMPLE

The shop installed CCTV to prevent theft.

CONTEXTUAL

Security guards monitored the CCTV footage to identify the person who left the bag unattended in the lobby.

COMPLEX

While proponents argue that widespread CCTV coverage significantly deters criminal activity, civil liberties groups often raise concerns regarding the potential for constant surveillance to infringe upon the right to individual privacy.

Usage

Usually treated as uncountable when referring to the system as a whole; often used as a modifier in phrases like 'CCTV camera' or 'CCTV footage'.

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