supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee

supervise a large staff

supervised the ship's daily operations

Synonyms of supervise

• oversee
• handle
• manage

Examples of supervise in a Sentence

The builder supervised the construction of the house.

She supervises a staff of 30 workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

But advocates of more protective parenting argue free-range parenting increases the risk children encounter danger and, in some cases, can result in neglect when children are improperly supervised. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Bruno Huizar, a supervising policy manager at the California Immigrant Policy Center, said the issue has affected him personally. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Some act like the cool parent who supervises their child’s drug use. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

For the right cat, supervised walking can offer mental stimulation and mild exercise. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre, from Latin super- + vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supervise

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

: superintend, oversee

Etymology

from Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre "to oversee," from super- "over, above" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision