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

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

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms

• administration
• care
• charge
• conduct
• control
• direction
• governance
• government
• guidance
• handling
• intendance
• management
• operation
• presidency
• regulation
• running
• stewardship
• superintendence
• superintendency
• supervision

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

Nonprofits are ripe for financial abuse, said Robert Nordlander, a former IRS special agent who spent two decades chasing tax evaders and money launderers – especially organizations like The County Buzz that have no internal controls, independent board or oversight. —Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

On top of this, Google is contending with antitrust cases accusing the company of monopolizing the search market, with potential remedies including a breakup, regulatory oversight, and restrictions on its businesses. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

But critics argue the lack of oversight opens the door for abuse. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024

The only way out of this mess is to make government oversight of those ripping off consumers effective, not to effectively eliminate it. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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