supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee
supervise a large staff
supervised the ship's daily operations

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025 Shamkhani said that if a deal were to take place, Iran would not make nuclear weapons, would reduce stockpiles of enriched uranium to a level only needed for civilian use, and would allow international inspectors to supervise the process. Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 May 2025 Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025 Also, what is that going to mean for this class above him [that includes Simone and Adams] who will be having to supervise and teach him? Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for supervise

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of supervise was circa 1645

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supervise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervise. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

supervise

verb
su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on supervise

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