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

Atkins will oversee investments, trading and regulate market shares in his role as chair of the SEC. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024

Panetta, 86, said senators must dutifully discern whether Hegseth has the appropriate virtues and traits to oversee the world's largest military force if the Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host ultimately decides not to withdraw. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

The screen also shows mobile signal strength and can be used to oversee device and network settings. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

If confirmed, Isaacman would oversee a $25 billion agency focused on returning humans to the moon, an effort that will rely on SpaceX’s Starship. —William Gavin, Quartz, 4 Dec. 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