oversight
noun
over·sight
ˈō-vər-ˌsīt 
1
a
: watchful and responsible care
you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted—
N. M. Pusey
N. M. Pusey
b
: regulatory supervision
congressional oversight
The new manager was given oversight of the project.
2
: an inadvertent omission or error
whether by oversight or intention—G. B. Shaw
G. B. ShawThe error was a simple oversight.
Examples of oversight in a Sentence
The fact that you didn't get an invitation is surely just an oversight.
The error was a simple oversight.
The new manager was given oversight of the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
In November 2023, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology introduced new social media regulations, requiring platforms to register with the government, set up a local contact point, appoint a grievance officer and designate an oversight official.
—Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
By transforming consumer devices into medical monitoring tools, gaps could be bridged in health care by providing continuous oversight.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
But over the years, the promises of H-2A — such as humane working conditions, free housing and far better wages than back home — have been undermined by the relative ease of exploiting workers due to scant oversight of the program.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
Their job becomes communicating the mission so precisely that others can advance it without constant oversight.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oversight
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Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
By transforming consumer devices into medical monitoring tools, gaps could be bridged in health care by providing continuous oversight.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
But over the years, the promises of H-2A — such as humane working conditions, free housing and far better wages than back home — have been undermined by the relative ease of exploiting workers due to scant oversight of the program.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
Their job becomes communicating the mission so precisely that others can advance it without constant oversight.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oversight
Cite this Entry
“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oversight
noun
over·sight
-ˌsīt
1
: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision
have the oversight of a job
2
: an error or a leaving something out through carelessness or haste
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