supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee

supervise a large staff

supervised the ship's daily operations

Synonyms

• boss
• captain
• handle
• head
• overlook
• oversee
• quarterback
• superintend

Examples of supervise in a Sentence

The builder supervised the construction of the house.

She supervises a staff of 30 workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The two vehicles went through the school’s fence where Rosales was supervising children, one of them being MKaya, according to deputies and KSAT. —Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2025

Conrad’s office is supervised by the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciary’s policymaking arm. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024

Lamond, who met Tarrio in 2019, had supervised the intelligence branch of the police department's Homeland Security Bureau. —CBS News, 23 Dec. 2024

Lamond, who met Tarrio in 2019, had supervised the intelligence branch of the police department’s Homeland Security Bureau. —Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre, from Latin super- + vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz 

supervised; supervising

: superintend, oversee

Etymology

from Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre "to oversee," from super- "over, above" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision