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 of oversee

• 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

Today, the division oversees 43 ocean artificial reefs and 29 estuarine reefs, according to its website. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Allen’s estate, overseen by his sister and sole trustee, Jody, selected the Khoslas over at least one other group, which was led by Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Aditya Mittal, according to Sportico. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Boards should be appointed on the basis of merit and given real authority to oversee management. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Known as Icehenge, the sprawling 16-piece work was created in 2012 for the lobby of Chicago’s landmark Inland Steel Building, where Gehry oversaw a renovation after acquiring a stake in the property. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

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