supervision

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sion ˌsü-pər-ˈvi-zhən 

: the action, process, or occupation of supervising

especially : a critical watching and directing (as of activities or a course of action)

Synonyms of supervision

• oversight
• stewardship
• management
• control
• guidance
• superintendence
• leadership

Examples of supervision in a Sentence

Young children need constant supervision.

She's responsible for the supervision of a large staff.

Recent Examples on the Web

After agreeing to a deal with prosecutors, Skeeter pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2010 and was sentenced to 10 years of community supervision. —Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

In June, the district exited state oversight after more than 20 years of fiscal supervision from the Alameda County Office of Education and the state, following an emergency $100 million state loan in 2003. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

There’s certain people in our business that care a lot about ticketing, so the head of ticket sales should have that supervision. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

This overreach and weaponization of the government manifested especially clearly in burdensome regulations and guidance; in extensive and onerous supervisions; in investigations and cases, frequently leading to crushing penalties and injunctive terms unrelated to actual harm. —Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supervision

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• indecision
• subdivision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

Kids Definition

supervision

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sion ˌsü-pər-ˈvizh-ən 

: the act of supervising

especially : a critical watching and directing (as of activities)