supervisor

American  

[soo-per-vahy-zer] / ˈsu pərˌvaɪ zər /

noun

1. a person who supervises workers or the work done by others; superintendent.

2. Education. an official responsible for assisting teachers in the preparation of syllabuses, in devising teaching methods, etc., in a department of instruction, especially in public schools.

3. (in some U.S. states) the chief elected administrative officer of a township, who is often also a member of the governing board of the county.

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supervisor British  

/ ˈsuːpəˌvaɪzə /

noun

1. a person who manages or supervises

2. a foreman or forewoman

3. (in some British universities) a tutor supervising the work, esp research work, of a student

4. (in some US schools) an administrator running a department of teachers

5. (in some US states) the elected chief official of a township or other subdivision of a county

6. obsolete a spectator

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Usage

What does supervisor mean? A supervisor is someone who oversees and provides direction for someone or something.More simply, a supervisor is someone who supervises. It’s most commonly used in the context of the workplace to refer to a type of manager who supervises other employees.The adjective supervisory describes things that involve supervision. A supervisor’s role can be described as supervisory.Supervisor can be used more specifically in the context of education to refer to a type of official or tutor or in the context of government to refer to a type of elected local official who serves on a board with other supervisors.Example: The key to being a good supervisor is to give your employees enough space to do their jobs, instead of constantly standing over their shoulders.

Other Word Forms

• presupervisor noun
• supervisorship noun

Etymology

Origin of supervisor

1425–75; late Middle English < Medieval Latin supervīsor, equivalent to supervid-, stem of supervidēre to supervise + -tor -tor, with dt > s

Example Sentences

“We are having to make extremely difficult decisions ... given our fiscal realities,” Sarah Mahin, the department’s director told supervisors before the vote Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, the county supervisors authorized their lawyers to take legal action to block the order if necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, about two years ago, my supervisor called me into her office and fired me.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Rafah crossing will be run by supervisors from the European Union and local Palestinian staff, while Israel will carry out remote security checks.

From BBC

A former supervisor of the mine told the BBC the site was not properly maintained, making accidents more likely and hampering rescue efforts when they occur.

From BBC

Related Words

• administrator
• chief
• chieftain
• director
• employer
• executive
• leader
• owner