oversight

American  

[oh-ver-sahyt] / ˈoʊ vərˌsaɪt /

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 British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌsaɪt /

noun

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

2. supervision

---

Etymology

Origin of oversight

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

Example Sentences

Anthropic’s two red lines—preventing mass surveillance of American citizens and ensuring human oversight in deadly military operations—are reasonable safeguards grounded in legitimate constitutional concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

An earlier draft sought to dissolve the board and put VMI under the oversight of Virginia State University.

From The Wall Street Journal

AI companies are rushing to release consumer health applications without adequate safety testing and regulatory oversight, driven by commercial competition rather than clinical readiness.

From Los Angeles Times

Kanyenze said state oversight at Chinese-owned lithium mines was limited, making it difficult to determine how much companies actually produced and earned.

From Barron's

That can mean specifying on your résumé what you accomplished in previous jobs without in-person oversight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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