oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē 

oversaw ˌō-vər-ˈsȯ  ; overseen ˌō-vər-ˈsēn  ; overseeing

transitive verb

1

: survey, watch

From his hilltop home he can oversee the river below.

2

a

: inspect, examine

oversees all new machinery

b

: to watch over and direct (an undertaking, a group of workers, etc.) in order to ensure a satisfactory outcome or performance : supervise

was hired to oversee the design and construction of the new library

oversaw 20 employees

Synonyms

• administer
• administrate
• carry on
• conduct
• control
• direct
• govern
• guide
• handle
• keep
• manage
• operate
• overlook
• preside (over)
• regulate
• run
• steward
• superintend
• supervise
• tend

Examples of oversee in a Sentence

He was hired to oversee design and construction of the new facility.

will oversee the new manufacturing division

Recent Examples on the Web

In May, the Berlin Film Festival appointed Tanja Meissner as director of Berlinale Pro*, a role that includes leading the European Film Market as well as overseeing Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents, its program for young filmmakers, and the World Cinema Fund. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025

As community president, Spoon will oversee retail and lending operations in the Northwest Arkansas market. —Emma Jones, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025

Dan Alexander is a senior editor at Forbes, overseeing money-in-politics coverage, as well as the author of White House, Inc.: How Donald Trump Turned the Presidency into a ... —Dan Alexander, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025

Chelsea Kujawa is overseeing the project for Lionsgate. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oversee

verb

over·​see ˌō-vər-ˈsē 

oversaw -ˈsȯ  ; overseen -ˈsēn  ; overseeing

1

: to look down upon : survey

2

a

: to look over : examine

b

: superintend, supervise