oversight

noun

over·​sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt 

1

a

: watchful and responsible care

… you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted …

—N. M. Pusey

b

: regulatory supervision

congressional oversight

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

2

: an inadvertent omission or error

… whether by oversight or intention …

—George Bernard Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms of oversight

• management
• supervision
• control
• operation
• administration
• handling
• stewardship
• government
• direction
• governance

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

The fact that you didn't get an invitation is surely just an oversight.

The error was a simple oversight.

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

Who outsourced the management of these fridges and who had contractual oversight for their security? — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Prior to the laws, placement agents were not subject to state oversight and were not required to disclose complaints or to refer clients to licensed facilities. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

According to the county’s impartial analysis, the change was intended to provide flexibility in employment agreements while preserving the Board of Supervisors’ oversight responsibilities. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Some say this has led to an inconsistent patchwork of rules where some states have strict regulations and others have little to no oversight. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oversight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

oversight

noun

over·​sight -ˌsīt 

1

: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision

have the oversight of a job

2

: an error or a leaving something out through carelessness or haste