oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē 

oversaw ˌō-vər-ˈsȯ  ; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn  ; overseeing

transitive verb

1

: survey, watch

From his hilltop home he can oversee the river below.

2

a

: inspect, examine

oversees all new machinery

b

: to watch over and direct (an undertaking, a group of workers, etc.) in order to ensure a satisfactory outcome or performance : supervise

was hired to oversee the design and construction of the new library

oversaw 20 employees

Synonyms

• administer
• administrate
• carry on
• conduct
• control
• direct
• govern
• guide
• handle
• keep
• manage
• operate
• overlook
• preside (over)
• regulate
• run
• steward
• superintend
• supervise
• tend

Examples of oversee in a Sentence

He was hired to oversee design and construction of the new facility.

will oversee the new manufacturing division

Recent Examples on the Web

The company also oversees a colony of about 3,500 rhesus monkeys on the nearby Morgan Island, which is only accessible by boat at the mouth of the Combahee River. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

If approved, the measure would extend a sales tax to support highways, roads and bus routes across the Valley. Proposition 479, formerly known as Prop. 400, would oversee the continuation of an existing dedicated half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County to fund transportation. —Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024

As secretary-general, Urquiza will oversee the organization's day-to-day operations, succeeding Germany's Jürgen Stock, who has led since 2014 and is ineligible for another term. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

In cases of divided government, the legislature and executive oversee one another, raising a public alarm at any sign of malfeasance. —Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē 

oversaw -ˈsȯ  ; overseen -ˈsēn  ; overseeing

1

: to look down upon : survey

2

a

: to look over : examine

b

: superintend, supervise