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

Photo courtesy of Glydways The system's infrastructure is designed to be highly adaptable, according to Steve DeWitt, CEO of ACS Infrastructure, which is overseeing construction. —Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

After listening to testimony from Steve Yarbrough, Cal OES’ deputy director of public safety communication who oversees the project, California senators expressed alarm by the lack of available answers to questions raised by the LAO. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026

On Wednesday, one of his lawyers told the Washington judge overseeing the case that negotiations continue with the SEC over a possible resolution. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

Because Rolapp now oversees a business that is very much about generating value. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 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