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

• management
• supervision
• administration
• control
• operation
• 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

However, secretive and unregulated practices by PBMs, which are heavily consolidated, have led to a chorus of drug manufacturers, pharmacists, and government regulators calling for more oversight. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025

Models trained on opaque data with no external oversight. —Sean Evins, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025

Kurdish negotiators countered that titles without real budgets and oversight are ceremonial unless enshrined in constitutional provisions. —Hassan Hassan, Time, 11 Oct. 2025

As part of the deal, reported to be worth $150 million, Weiss has oversight of CBS News editorial operations. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 Oct. 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