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

Much of that work will be overseen by the nonprofit Urban Street Angels, which has deals with apartment complexes throughout the region that can take in former foster youths. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025

Advertisement Japan has seen an influx of Chinese tourists in recent years as former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe oversaw an effort to increase inbound tourism. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 Nov. 2025

It is led by Hassan Al Thawadi (pictured) the Qatari lawyer who oversaw the 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, which was considered a triumph for the country. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025

Operating bicoastally, Stillman+Co will have a West Coast dressing and gifting showroom through a partnership with SHO+Co, with LA operations overseen by Katsya Brito. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 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