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 Avengers: Civil War, Ross essentially kicks off the conflict between Captain America and Iron Man by trying to force U.S. government oversight over the Avengers.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Burgum claimed the project's approval under the Biden administration was rushed and lacked proper oversight.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The Food and Drug Administration is drawing up plans that would end most of its routine food safety inspections work, multiple federal health officials tell CBS News, and effectively outsource this oversight to state and local authorities.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
No American should be one $10 oversight from losing coverage.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oversight
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Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Burgum claimed the project's approval under the Biden administration was rushed and lacked proper oversight.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The Food and Drug Administration is drawing up plans that would end most of its routine food safety inspections work, multiple federal health officials tell CBS News, and effectively outsource this oversight to state and local authorities.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
No American should be one $10 oversight from losing coverage.
—Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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