supervise
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to direct or oversee the performance or operation of
-
to watch over so as to maintain order, etc
Usage
What does supervise mean? Supervise means to oversee, watch over, and provide direction for someone or something.You can supervise a project or process as it’s happening, but most of the time the word refers to supervising people, especially parents supervising their children or a manager or supervisor supervising their employees.The noun form of supervise is supervision. Someone being supervised is said to be under supervision. When it’s used in the context of adults watching children, the word often appears in the phrases parental supervision and adult supervision. Children or other people who can’t be left alone are said to need constant supervision. When they are left alone, they’re said to be unsupervised.The adjective form supervisory describes things that involve supervision, such as in the phrases supervisory role and supervisory capacity. Example: The key to supervising your employees effectively is giving them enough space to do their jobs, instead of constantly standing over their shoulders.
Other Word Forms
- nonsupervising adjective
- presupervise verb (used with object)
- quasi-supervised adjective
- supervision noun
- unsupervised adjective
- well-supervised adjective
Etymology
Origin of supervise
First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin supervīsus “overseen,” past participle of supervidēre “to oversee,” from super- super- + vidēre “to see”; wit 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The company currently has employees supervise all trips made by vehicles equipped with its advanced driver-assistance system.
From MarketWatch
The company currently has employees supervise all trips made by vehicles equipped with its advanced driver-assistance system.
From MarketWatch
Chavez, 54, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his house arrest and must perform 300 hours of community service.
From Los Angeles Times
The child would later allege that, while on supervised visits, their father would attempt to speak to them, telling them to "stick to the plan".
From BBC
Coaches have been assigning adults to supervise street workouts for years.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
