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

There is a robust civil process, overseen by state and local elections officials, to request a recount or challenge the results of an election. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

In the role, she is charged with guiding the company’s Nashville operation, driving new relationships with the city’s independent music community and overseeing day-to-day operations. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

Proximity Media’s director of development Dezi Gallegos will also help to oversee the pilot. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026

Airports in New York and New Jersey have brought in civilian security and police officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the region’s major airports, the agency said. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 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