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
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
G. B. ShawThe error was a simple oversight.
Synonyms
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
Guardrails For Autonomous Action Within parameters, agentic AI can execute critical tasks while maintaining human oversight, balancing efficiency with control.
—Karthik Sj, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Langley’s decision to put Igbokwe in charge of both network and studio returns NBC to an entertainment structure that kept both sides vertically integrated under the same full oversight — something in the last decade execs like Bob Greenblatt, Paul Teledgy and George Cheeks handled at NBCU.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
Air New Zealand and its ground handlers attributed the oversight to human error.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Among them, Jeramie Scott of the Electronic Privacy Information Center portrayed the Trump White House move as undercutting the purpose of the agency in being able to perform oversight free from interference.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oversight 
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Karthik Sj, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Langley’s decision to put Igbokwe in charge of both network and studio returns NBC to an entertainment structure that kept both sides vertically integrated under the same full oversight — something in the last decade execs like Bob Greenblatt, Paul Teledgy and George Cheeks handled at NBCU.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
Air New Zealand and its ground handlers attributed the oversight to human error.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Among them, Jeramie Scott of the Electronic Privacy Information Center portrayed the Trump White House move as undercutting the purpose of the agency in being able to perform oversight free from interference.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oversight
Dictionary Entries Near oversight
Cite this Entry
“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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