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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dan Alexander is a senior editor at Forbes, overseeing money-in-politics coverage, as well as the author of White House, Inc.: How Donald Trump Turned the Presidency into a ... Dan Alexander, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Most of our time is spent with the emergency department, overseen by world-weary doctor Ron (David Alan Grier) and his lead trauma surgeon Bruce (Josh Lawson), whose diagnostic approach is based on watching too much House. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 It would be overseen by Cincinnati Works, a local non-profit whose work focuses on giving people a second chance. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024 James Myers is overseeing for Lionsgate, for whom Dan Freedman negotiated deals. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oversee 

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 14 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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