purview

American  

[pur-vyoo] / ˈpɜr vju /

noun

1. 

   the range of operation, authority, control, concern, etc.

   Synonyms:

   extent, compass, responsibility, scope

2. the range of vision, insight, or understanding.

3. Law.

   1. that which is provided or enacted in a statute, as distinguished from the preamble.

   2. the purpose or scope of a statute.

4. the full scope or compass of any document, statement, subject, book, etc.

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purview British  

/ ˈpɜːvjuː /

noun

1. the scope of operation or concern of something

2. the breadth or range of outlook or understanding

3. law the body of a statute, containing the enacting clauses

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Etymology

Origin of purview

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English purveu, from Anglo-French: past participle of purveier “to furnish or supply”; see origin at purvey

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Explanation

The range or scope of something is its purview. If you are a professional race car driver, performing surgery is way outside your purview. Anything inside a range of interest or activity is within a purview. A supervisor is in charge of certain workers — other workers are outside her purview. The surgeon general deals with medical issues: the defense budget is outside his purview. When a business expands, it's trying to increase its purview. If you go to the dentist and ask her to paint a picture of your tooth rather than extracting it, you're likely to discover you've gone way beyond her purview.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

purview

Jean and Joan’s shared existence would otherwise make their days dull and predictable, but their bizarre circumstances let them see beyond their own purview and into someone else’s, even if only for a blip.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

Horror movies also came into her purview by way of her Mexican American family, in particular her aunt Maria.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Some SPVs are offered by firms that are technically outside of the SEC’s purview, though if there is an issue of fraud, the SEC has authority to investigate and take action.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Property taxes are generally the purview of the estate itself.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

Music education in the early 20th century continued under the purview of the music supervisor, while classroom teachers were trained to teach music to their students.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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Related Words

• confines
• domain

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