oversight

noun

over·​sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt How to pronounce oversight (audio)
1
a
: watchful and responsible care
you to whom oversight of the University is entrustedN. 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 intentionG. B. Shaw
The error was a simple oversight.

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 However, De Haan said the creation of the oversight division and SB X1-2 may help shine light and improve utilization rates of West Coast refineries. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2023 Directors, in their oversight role, are responsible for ensuring risks are properly managed, including cyber risk, Heath said. James Rundle, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2023 Moore announced the move at Tuesday’s meeting of the department’s oversight body, the Board of Police Commissioners. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023 In 1919 Congress permitted companies to excavate ore deposits on tribal lands with little oversight. Katherine Bourzac, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 On Monday, the New York Department of Financial Services announced an update to its virtual currency oversight regime, including new criteria for how digital firms licensed by the agency can list different cryptocurrencies. Byleo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 18 Sep. 2023 The Dallas Police Association encourages officers to ignore oversight interview requests, and the vast majority have done just that, oversight officials have said. Kelli Smith, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023 That the oversight has not been corrected is, perhaps, a sign of his standing in the program. Billy Witz, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023 The most reasonable explanation is that, with the newfound freedom from oversight that remote work allows, some workers are using golf as a way to break up the day and recharge during slow periods. Byjane Thier, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oversight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oversight was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near oversight

Cite this Entry

“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

oversight

noun
over·​sight -ˌsīt How to pronounce oversight (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on oversight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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