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 talented team elevates star ingredients like sunchoke, lion’s mane mushrooms, or wagyu beef in an open kitchen overseen by executive Chef Brandon Cunningham. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Trump even oversaw the tournament's draw at the Kennedy Center, which he's sought to rename for himself, sparking legal challenges. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

The British journalist and filmmaker, who was recently named executive producer of the CBS program, oversaw the firing of longtime correspondent Scott Pelley following an internal conflict over the show's new leadership. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 June 2026

But the lieutenant governor serves as acting governor when the governor is out of state, becomes governor if the office becomes vacant and holds seats on influential boards overseeing higher education, public lands and coastal policy. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 3 June 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