oversight

noun

over·​sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt 

1

a

: watchful and responsible care

you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted

—N. M. Pusey

b

: regulatory supervision

congressional oversight

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

2

: an inadvertent omission or error

whether by oversight or intention

—G. B. Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms

• administration
• care
• charge
• conduct
• control
• direction
• governance
• government
• guidance
• handling
• intendance
• management
• operation
• presidency
• regulation
• running
• stewardship
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

The fact that you didn't get an invitation is surely just an oversight.

The error was a simple oversight.

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

With regulations constantly evolving, keeping financial records up to date is critical for compliance, especially given the recent updates from the IRS aimed at increasing oversight on high-income earners and large businesses. —Sean Manning, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

The legislation will regulate management agencies and provide oversight in the industry. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024

In a Truth Social post Saturday, Trump also expressed interest in turning oversight of the Panama Canal to the United States, complaining about the fees associated with use of the canal. —Emily Martin, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024

These mega-unions are also raking in millions of dollars from employee paychecks and have little oversight on their spending and lobbying. —The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

oversight

noun

over·​sight -ˌsīt 

1

: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision

have the oversight of a job

2

: an error or a leaving something out through carelessness or haste