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

But the agency doesn’t seem to be using its supervision power anymore, said Pierce and Erie Meyer, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s former chief technologist who left in early 2025. —William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

Unstable housing, missed school and lack of supervision can trigger detention even when a child poses no real threat. —Jeffrey Shook, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026

Under the city’s supervision, critics said the property was neglected and had little cultural programming. —Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

Sarkozy — who led France from 2007 to 2012 — began serving his sentence before a Paris appeals court ordered his release under judicial supervision pending the new trial. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 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)