oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē How to pronounce oversee (audio)
oversaw ˌō-vər-ˈsȯ How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; 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

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 However, the state has cut its annual tonnage of organic waste from 21 million to 19 million since the law was passed — only a 10% reduction, according to CalRecycle, the state agency overseeing waste disposal and recycling. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Riots erupt in several cities, leading President Richard M. Nixon to oversee a vast expansion of federal programs for minorities, some of which continue today. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Coaches have been given the right to challenge certain calls, and there is automatic video review in some circumstances; a central replay center oversees all games. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 Williams is an outsider brought in to police an audit industry that collects about $5.4 billion in fees from S&P 500 companies each year, and has historically been accustomed to being overseen by friendly insiders. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 The Jordanian air force began airdrops into northern Gaza two weeks ago – with one of the first flights overseen by King Abdullah himself. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 The advisor will work with V&A’s curators who oversee well over 2.8 million exhibits and museum pieces. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 7 Mar. 2024 The findings are based on a recent survey of 497 controllers who oversee a firm’s accounting operations. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 Becerra is currently overseeing a case involving the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oversee.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oversee was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near oversee

Cite this Entry

“Oversee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversee. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

oversee

verb
over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē How to pronounce oversee (audio)
oversaw -ˈsȯ How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseen -ˈsēn How to pronounce oversee (audio) ; overseeing
1
: to look down upon : survey
2
a
: to look over : examine

More from Merriam-Webster on oversee

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