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

And so once again Hiyakawa is pausing service of its usual tasting menu to bring back a new izakaya menu from chef de cuisine Jamie Liu, who runs the kitchen, and chef Royce Appling, who oversees the sushi counter. — Connie Ogle july 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Imogen Lloyd Webber—yes, that’s the daughter of EGOT winner and Broadway icon Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber—is an EVP at Concord Theatrical and oversees the Rodgers and Hammerstein brand for Concord. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

The lawsuit says the hazing was conducted or overseen by a group of fraternity leaders named as defendants. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

His character is spiritual, punctual and deeply religious, yet silently overseeing a very misogynistic, racist and drug-addled workforce. — ABC News, 29 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