oversee

[ oh-ver-see ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈsi /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: oversee / oversaw / overseeing / overseen on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), o·ver·saw, o·ver·seen, o·ver·see·ing.

to direct (work or workers); supervise; manage: He was hired to oversee the construction crews.

to see or observe secretly or unintentionally: We happened to oversee the burglar leaving the premises. He was overseen stealing the letters.

to survey or watch, as from a higher position.

to look over; examine; inspect.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of oversee

before 900; Middle English overseen,Old English ofersēon.See over-, see¹

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH oversee

overlook, oversee , oversight

Words nearby oversee

overscore, overscrupulous, overseas, overseas cap, overseas telegram, oversee, overseer, oversell, oversensitive, overset, oversew

How to use oversee in a sentence

This year, Gold and Grey Group oversaw a client spot for Pringles.
‘This is about the future of office space’: Agencies pivot to virtual war rooms for major events|Kimeko McCoy|February 10, 2021|Digiday
He slammed the county that he helps oversee for ranking cannabis workers essentially ahead of police and teachers in the great vaccine line.
Politics Report: School of Faulconer|Scott Lewis|February 6, 2021|Voice of San Diego
While there are differences in the details of the House and Senate versions of legalization, both envision beginning the sale of marijuana in 2024 and overseeing it with a new state agency.
Virginia legislature votes to abolish the death penalty|Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Both call for creating a state agency to oversee the industry, and both build in an extra year to get that bureaucracy up and running.
Virginia General Assembly poised for historic votes to legalize marijuana and end death penalty|Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella|February 4, 2021|Washington Post

We can expect to see fewer restaurants with dedicated sommeliers overseeing beverage service.
Sommeliers have been forced to pivot in the pandemic, and their futures remain uncertain|Dave McIntyre|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
A Wall Street person should not be allowed to help oversee the Dodd-Frank reforms.
Antonio Weiss Is Not Part of the Problem|Steve Rattner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But there is no comparable official to oversee efforts for freeing civilian hostages.
Did U.S. Policy Get Luke Somers Killed?|Shane Harris|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some factories do not employ Muslims on the premises who can oversee the process, Nana said.
Inside The Growing Organic Halal Movement|Sharon Adarlo|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Russia was considering sending a group of observers to oversee the May 11 referendum, Russian news reported on Tuesday.
A Putin Climb-Down on Ukraine?|Igor Kossov|May 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also wants an unelected royal commission be appointed to oversee and implement such measures.
Thailand: Into the Void|Lennox Samuels|March 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I tried to get him to oversee the mill for me, but, after our trouble, he refused to do anything about it.
Wayside Courtships|Hamlin Garland
Faithful pastors recognize many errors and offenses in the church, which they oversee.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians|Martin Luther
Second, there are property rights, of which every marriage is a tangle, and the settlement of which the law should always oversee.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
I divided them into gangs of from fifteen to thirty each, and appointed some one of the most intelligent to oversee each gang.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2 No 4, October, 1862|Various
Their duty was to keep others busy, and to direct and oversee the vast domestic machinery of the home.
Historic Papers on the Causes of the Civil War|Mrs. Eugenia Dunlap Potts

British Dictionary definitions for oversee

oversee

/ (ˌəʊvəˈsiː) /

verb -sees, -seeing, -saw or -seen (tr)

to watch over and direct; supervise

to watch secretly or accidentally

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

oversee

Origin of oversee

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH oversee

Words nearby oversee

Words related to oversee

How to use oversee in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oversee