oversee

[ oh-ver-see ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·saw, o·ver·seen, o·ver·see·ing.

1. to direct (work or workers); supervise; manage:

   He was hired to oversee the construction crews.

2. to see or observe secretly or unintentionally:

   We happened to oversee the burglar leaving the premises. He was overseen stealing the letters.

3. to survey or watch, as from a higher position.
4. to look over; examine; inspect.

oversee

/ ˌəʊvəˈsiː /

verb

1. to watch over and direct; supervise
2. to watch secretly or accidentally

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversee¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English overseen, Old English ofersēon; equivalent to over- + see ¹

Example Sentences

He was found guilty in June this year of torture, overseeing public amputations by machete and the brutal floggings of residents, including children.

From BBC

Gatland has overseen a record 11 successive Test match defeats, and another loss this weekend would see Wales go a calendar year without winning a Test for the first time since 1937.

From BBC

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversee the country’s largest healthcare programs, providing coverage to more than 150 million Americans.

From BBC

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, had been scheduled last week to rule on how the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling would affect the case.

From Salon

Prosecutors urged the judge who is overseeing Trump's sentence after his guilty verdict to consider options other than dismissal, including holding off until the president-elect is scheduled to leave the White House in 2029.

From BBC

Related Words

• command
• manage
• supervise
• survey
• watch