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

The royal household representative on the Royal and VIP executive committee [Ravec], overseen by the Home Office, is not there to advocate a position for a member of the royal family. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2025

On Thursday, Hesselbein noted the Senate's committee overseeing colleges and universities hasn't held a public hearing on any legislation this session. —Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025

Starting in the 2010s, Burch continued to lend her expertise to major productions, overseeing local casting for such films as Iron Man 3 (2013), Hidden Figures (2016) and four films in the Hunger Games franchise, including the 2012 original. —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025

Lakewood Animal Control was overseeing the herd. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 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