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

The National Capital Planning Commission oversees construction on federal land in the city and began reviewing the arch plan in June. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

The airport project, known as Elevate BUR, has been overseen by the project management company Jacobs. — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

The nursing home committee can have up to 35 members responsible for helping oversee 3,737 beds across 32 facilities, according to Tuesday’s report. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Council members last week approved the compensation agreement with Civic San Diego, which is acting as the developer and will oversee completion of the project. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 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