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definitions

superintend

[soo-per-in-tend, soo-prin-]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR superintend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to oversee and direct (work, processes, etc.).
to exercise supervision over (an institution, district, place, etc.).

Origin of superintend

From the Late Latin word superintendere, dating back to 1605–15. See super-, intend

Synonyms for superintend

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR superintend ON THESAURUS.COM
supervise, manage, conduct, run; control.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for superintend

oversee, manage, watch, conduct

Examples from the Web for superintend

Historical Examples of superintend

  • Nelson, who was appointed to superintend the evacuation, frustrated these projects.

  • In 1882 he returned to New York, to superintend the installation of his system in that city.

  • If a bridge was to be constructed, or a road repaired, he was sent for to superintend it.

  • I superintend the dairies; the butter and the cheese are the produce of my industry.

    Imogen

    William Godwin

  • But now they would be needed to superintend the more delicate work.

    The Black Star Passes

    John W Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for superintend

superintend

verb

to undertake the direction or supervision (of); manage
Derived Formssuperintendence, noun

Word Origin for superintend

C17: from Church Latin superintendere, from Latin super- + intendere to give attention to
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
Word Origin and History for superintend
v.

1610s, from Church Latin superintendere (see superintendent). Related: Superintended; superintending.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper