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

The measure places New York alongside other governments tightening oversight of social media design. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025

While intended to improve safety, this shift may have pushed bad actors deeper into affiliate networks with weaker oversight. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025

Mercedes also agreed to adopt a series of actions to prevent future misconduct and comply with oversight requirements. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025

Hochul signed the legislation to increase oversight and funding for investigations and cameras in state prisons last Friday. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 26 Dec. 2025

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