supervisor

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər 

: one that supervises

especially : an administrative officer in charge of a business, government, or school unit or operation

supervisory

ˌsü-pər-ˈvī-zə-rē 

-ˈvīz-rē

adjective

Synonyms of supervisor

• manager
• executive
• administrator
• director
• superintendent

Examples of supervisor in a Sentence

The supervisor fired him after he showed up at work drunk.

If you have a problem, go to your supervisor.

Recent Examples on the Web

One supervisor described O'Neill's behavior as bullying and an attempt to intimidate. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Early voting in the primary election is well underway, and vote-by-mail ballots are arriving at supervisors of elections’ offices. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

After aid cuts reduced available funding, community members have had to pool money to cover those transportation costs, according to Ronald Musiitwa, the village health team supervisor on Kitobo island. — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

The dialogue is the Paramount+ series — which follows CIA operative Joe (Saldaña) and her team, helmed by CIA supervisor Kaitlyn (Kidman) — often leads to its stars seeking out Sheridan, 56, before filming even begins. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from supervidēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supervisor

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

Kids Definition

supervisor

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər 

: a person who supervises

especially : an officer in charge of a unit or an operation of a business, government, or school

supervisory

ˌsü-pər-ˈvīz-(ə-)rē 

adjective

Legal Definition

supervisor

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər 

: one that directs or oversees a person, group, department, organization, or operation

specifically : the popularly elected chief administrative official of a township or other subdivision in some states of the U.S.

supervisorial

ˌsü-pər-ˌvī-ˈzōr-ē-əl

adjective

supervisory

ˌsü-pər-ˈvī-zə-rē 

adjective