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 …

—George Bernard Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms of oversight

• management
• supervision
• control
• operation
• administration
• handling
• stewardship
• government
• direction
• governance

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

Lane 1 is open to commercial launch providers without requiring extensive certification and oversight from the Space Force. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026

Users should lead with their own ideas, occasionally perform tasks without AI, and ensure human oversight to preserve critical skills and authenticity. — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Forty-four states currently allow birth certificates to be amended, and there is no oversight or verification of these documents. — Katie Uhlaender Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Regardless of the Yankees’ strategic direction as the trade deadline approaches, failing to aggressively bolster their lineup would be a significant oversight. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oversight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

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