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

• supervise
• manage
• operate
• regulate
• handle
• control
• conduct
• govern

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

The federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees the event, along with local sheriff's deputies. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Universal’s Executive Vice President of Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the studio. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Likewise, the Suns might assert that team disputes are ordinarily reviewed by grievance procedures outlined by the NBA constitution and bylaws, which govern teams and owners, and ultimately overseen by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Attracting more African IPOs has been high on the agenda of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, said Tracey Austin, a senior DBT director overseeing financial and professional services. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for oversee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

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