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
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—G. B. Shaw
G. B. ShawThe error was a simple oversight.
Synonyms
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
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.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on oversight
Nglish: Translation of oversight for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of oversight for Arabic Speakers
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