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

The Post’s reporting prompted internal oversight probes, a third-party audit of the hospital and an oversight hearing before Maryland state lawmakers. —Katie Mettler, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2025

This session’s defining feature is the Legislature’s newfound commitment to performing its oversight function and demanding answers. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025

This conduct sets a deeply troubling precedent for transparency and oversight, and it must not be allowed to stand. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

This administration might use a domestic crisis as even more justification to bypass legislative and judicial oversight. —Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for oversight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

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