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

—G. B. Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms

• administration
• care
• charge
• conduct
• control
• direction
• governance
• government
• guidance
• handling
• intendance
• management
• operation
• presidency
• regulation
• running
• stewardship
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

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

Launch of the new hour is the latest shake-up at the Paramount Global news division since executive Wendy McMahon took sole oversight of the business in August of 2023. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024

Dungey currently serves as CEO of the Warner Bros. TV Group, and will add oversight of the networks when Finch retires at the end of the year. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2024

In 2022, following the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery, Finch assumed oversight of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network, as well as TNT and TBS. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2024

Zoom in: Changes included reducing the board of directors' size for stronger oversight and severing ties with animal vendors called into question in the documentary. —Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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