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’s not much Fisher Robay in this episode; outside a brief glimpse of Ron overseeing the progress on the mall development, there’s only one scene set at work. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

Judge Jack McConnell, who is overseeing the case, ordered the administration to make at least partial benefits as soon as possible by tapping the contingency fund, and to investigate if other money could be used. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025

Erin Cooper, Broadway Baptist’s community center manager, oversees the church’s food pantry, clothing room, sack lunches, and other programs. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2025

James Gunn and Peter Safran of DC Studios would also executive produce, with DC Studios’ Galen Vaisman overseeing production. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 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