oversight

[oh-ver-sahyt]

noun

1. an omission or error due to carelessness.

   My bank statement is full of oversights.

   Synonyms: slip, blunder, mistake

2. unintentional failure to notice or consider; lack of proper attention.

   Owing to my oversight, the letter was sent unsigned.

   Synonyms: inattention, neglect, lapse, slip, blunder, mistake

3. supervision; watchful care.

   a person responsible for the oversight of the organization.

   Synonyms: surveillance, control, direction, management

oversight

/ ˈəʊvəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. an omission or mistake, esp one made through failure to notice something

2. supervision

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversight¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; over- + sight

Example Sentences

Each new tragedy exposes the rot in India's drug oversight system - a maze of weak enforcement and regulation.

Read more on BBC

“This is a big deal. This is a quantum leap forward for civilian oversight commissions.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was the attorney general's first appearance at a congressional oversight hearing - and it was a timely one.

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These included stronger congressional oversight, a 10-year term limit for FBI directors and investigative guidelines issued by the attorney general.

Read more on Salon

Internal analysis published by the hospital found that "there was no clear governance process for maintaining oversight of newly approved procedures".

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Related Words

• control 
• handling 
• inspection 
• maintenance 
• management 
• surveillance