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

For a small subset of people with severe, treatment-resistant autoimmune or hypersensitivity conditions, there may be a short-term clinical rationale worth exploring under medical supervision. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

For over 20 minutes, there was no supervision. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Patient 4’s lawsuit accused Sorial with intentional infliction of emotional distress and breach of fiduciary duty and Boca Raton Psychiatry of negligent supervision and vicarious liability. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

PAs treat patients under the supervision of a physician in healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices, and outpatient clinics, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 3 June 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)