supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee
supervise a large staff
supervised the ship's daily operations

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The flights will have regular communications with air traffic control towers, a wide array of sensors on board and someone supervising the plane from below. Plans for the company’s air taxis also are being tested at two other U.S. airports., Houston and Long Beach, California. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025 Never feed or approach bears, secure all garbage, clean and store grills and fire pits properly, store any toys when not in use and make sure young children and pets are supervised when outside. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025 Brian Williams, another Greenberg Gross attorney and co-counsel for both plaintiffs, said failures by Orange and Tustin school officials to supervise Alcala are appalling. Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 13 June 2025 Congress created the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board through the 1961 Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961 to supervise the U.S. government's flagship program of international educational and cultural exchange. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for supervise

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of supervise was circa 1645

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supervise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervise. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

supervise

verb
su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on supervise

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