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

• 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

District managers normally oversee about 10 locations and weren’t previously part of the hiring process at the store level. —Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025

As President of the shingle, Williams oversees all television, film, and unscripted development and production. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 June 2025

Kling, who grew up in Kansas and turns 68 in October, has overseen a period of tremendous growth for the city. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 30 June 2025

Jonathan Anderson’s first collection in his triple-threat role at Christian Dior, overseeing men’s, women’s and couture, left buyers swooning. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 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