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

The Biden administration was not prioritizing deportations of people like Ruano, so she was put on supervision. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

John Halley, who was named to lead Paramount’s advertising sales efforts in 2022 following the company’s merger with former corporate sibling CBS, will leave the media conglomerate after new managers installed a chief revenue officer who was given direct supervision of outreach to Madison Avenue. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025

Customers who buy a unit will receive an operator who will train staff on routine supervision. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Nov. 2025

The goal is to help doctors explain what to expect when stopping psychiatric medications so patients don’t self-taper without medical supervision. —David Cox, NBC news, 30 Nov. 2025

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)