overseer

noun

over·​seer ˈō-vər-ˌsir How to pronounce overseer (audio)
ˈō-və-,
-ˌsē-ər;
ˌō-vər-ˈsir,
ˌō-və-,
-ˈsē-ər
plural overseers
: a person who oversees others : a person with supervisory responsibilities
Her insider status was cemented in 1988 with a stint as … overseer of the party's nominating convention.Gwen Ifill
… suggests that in Upper Egypt the control of local affairs by the pharaoh's overseer was gradually diluted during the late Old Kingdom …Robert J. Wenke
Some pension funds proactively keep government overseers up to date so that they will not feel a need to be intrusive.Simon C. Y. Wong

Examples of overseer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The women’s orchestra, separated from their fellow inmates in a special block, was required by their Nazi overseers to play jaunty marches every morning and evening so that other female prisoners kept in step as they were sent to work outside the camp. Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025 As did much of southern Italy, Monopoli had successive overseers that included the Byzantines, Normans, Venetians and Spanish before becoming part of the new Kingdom of Italy as of 1860. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Impressed by his resolve, Charles appoints him as overseer. Ed Meza, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 Obama said at the time that the project did not intend to displace residents, adding that its overseers are trying to balance boosting jobs and economic development in the area while maintaining and protecting existing affordable housing. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overseer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overseer was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Overseer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overseer. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

overseer

noun
over·​seer ˈō-və(r)-ˌsi(ə)r How to pronounce overseer (audio)
-ˌsē-ər;
ˌō-və(r)-ˈsi(ə)r,
-ˈsē-ər
: one that oversees : superintendent

More from Merriam-Webster on overseer

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