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

But as ProPublica reported this year, court oversight of these officials is threadbare. —Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2024

Delays or budget overruns can erode profitability, so maintaining rigorous oversight and having contingency plans in place are both essential to navigating the complexities of large-scale developments. —Meyer Orbach, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Metcalfe flexed her experience in myriad administrative roles and detailed plans for new programs and layers of oversight. —Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

In 2022, the Electoral Count Reform Act, passed with bipartisan support, strengthened the original act by creating a system of judicial oversight, in which courts have the final say on the lawful counting of votes and determination of a slate of electors. —Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 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