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

Kanaiyah's Law restricts where the state can house children and strengthens oversight of Maryland's child welfare system. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

The Authority is currently reviewing information relating to a recent Icelandair flight over Vestmannaeyjar under its statutory oversight and investigative mandate. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

Cumming is joined in the case by two members of the Office of the Inspector General’s advisory board, which provides oversight of the watchdog agency. —Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2026

Baron, from the Child Abuse Prevention Council, said that oversight needs to continue. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 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