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 Board would oversee the disarmament of Hamas and other factions – a key Israeli demand - and the reconstruction of Gaza, according to a draft of the resolution seen by CNN. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

As deputy director, Bongino oversees day-to-day operations and has direct access to highly sensitive briefings, including the president's daily briefing. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

As part of the newsroom, all April’s work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors. —April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Duffy, who oversees Gettysburg’s center for career engagement, said families of both current and prospective students are more concerned about potential job prospects after graduating than before. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 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