to catch sight of (a person or persons in some action) secretly or accidentally
3.
to survey; watch
4. Archaic
to examine; inspect
Word origin
ME overseen < OE oferseon: see over & see1
Examples of 'oversee' in a sentence
oversee
Job To oversee the dismantling of Obamacare.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Our 12billion annual donation is far more than Britain can properly oversee.
The Sun (2016)
Now Jupiter is overseeing your job chart, you get the exciting challenge you want plus the security you need.
The Sun (2016)
Part of the job will involve overseeing the switch to digital.
The Sun (2007)
My job involves overseeing the distillery and checking the quality of the whisky.
The Sun (2013)
He reviewed the senior management structure before filling vacant top jobs overseeing cuts.
The Sun (2010)
You need to put your time in to learning something properly before overseeing others.
The Sun (2014)
They thought it was better the government should own all these businesses and oversee them properly.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
They oversaw a process in which others were given the important responsibility of serving tables.
Christianity Today (2000)
These are biochemical "supervisors" which oversee the process.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion Fats, Nutrition and Health (1991)
An ombudsman would oversee the process.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Like an architect, the oil giants design and oversee the job.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His job is to oversee, encourage and train all the chaplains.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He failed to oversee the company properly during the alleged accounting irregularities, they claimed.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That job entails overseeing the academy, etc, and making sure structures are in place throughout the club.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The details were agreed between the two individuals themselves, she said, although the process was overseen by line managers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your permit will contain detailed construction plans and specifications and will name the technical architect, usually chosen by your overseeing architect, who will manage the site.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
oversee
British English: oversee VERB
If someone in authority oversees a job or an activity, they make sure that it is done properly.
Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.
American English: oversee
Brazilian Portuguese: supervisionar
Chinese: 监督
European Spanish: supervisar
French: superviser
German: beaufsichtigen
Italian: supervisionare
Japanese: 監督する
Korean: 감독하다
European Portuguese: supervisionar
Latin American Spanish: supervisar
Chinese translation of 'oversee'
oversee
(əuvəˈsiː)
Word forms:ptoversaw
Word forms:ppoverseen
vt
(= supervise) 监(監)督 (jiāndū)
(verb)
Definition
to watch over and direct (someone or something)
Get a surveyor to oversee and inspect the various stages of the work.
Synonyms
supervise
One of his jobs was supervising the dining room.
run
His father ran a prosperous business.
control
He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California.
You should not let other people control you.
manage
Within two years, he was managing the store.
direct
She will direct day-to-day operations.
handle
She handled travel arrangements for the press corps.
conduct
I decided to conduct an experiment.
look after
be responsible for
administer
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
inspect
Each hotel is inspected once a year.
preside over
keep an eye on
be on duty at
superintend
During the interval, he superintended a prize draw.
have or be in charge of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of administer
Definition
to manage (an organization or estate)
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
Synonyms
manage,
run,
control,
rule,
direct,
handle,
conduct,
command,
govern,
oversee,
supervise,
preside over,
be in charge of,
superintend
in the sense of conduct
Definition
to carry out
I decided to conduct an experiment.
Synonyms
carry out,
run,
control,
manage,
direct,
handle,
organize,
govern,
regulate,
administer,
supervise,
preside over
in the sense of control
Definition
to have power over
He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California.You should not let other people control you.
Synonyms
have power over,
lead,
rule,
manage,
boss (informal),
direct,
handle,
conduct,
dominate,
command,
pilot,
govern,
steer,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
manipulate,
call the shots,
call the tune,
reign over,
keep a tight rein on,
have charge of,
superintend,
have (someone) in your pocket,
keep on a string
Synonyms of 'oversee'
oversee
Explore 'oversee' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of direct
Definition
to conduct or control the affairs of
She will direct day-to-day operations.
Synonyms
control,
run,
manage,
lead,
rule,
guide,
handle,
conduct,
advise,
govern,
regulate,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
dispose,
preside over,
mastermind,
call the shots,
call the tune,
superintend
in the sense of handle
Definition
to have responsibility for
She handled travel arrangements for the press corps.
Synonyms
deal with,
manage,
take care of,
administer,
conduct,
supervise
in the sense of inspect
Definition
to examine officially
Each hotel is inspected once a year.
Synonyms
check,
examine,
investigate,
study,
look at,
research,
search,
survey,
assess,
probe,
audit,
vet,
oversee,
supervise,
check out (informal),
look over,
work over,
superintend,
give (something or someone) the once-over (informal),
go over or through
in the sense of manage
Definition
to be in charge of
Within two years, he was managing the store.
Synonyms
be in charge of,
run,
handle,
rule,
direct,
conduct,
command,
govern,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
preside over,
be head of,
call the shots in,
superintend,
call the tune in
in the sense of run
Definition
to manage
His father ran a prosperous business.
Synonyms
manage,
lead,
direct,
be in charge of,
own,
head,
control,
boss (informal),
operate,
handle,
conduct,
look after,
carry on,
regulate,
take care of,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
mastermind,
coordinate,
superintend
in the sense of superintend
Definition
to supervise (a person or an activity)
During the interval, he superintended a prize draw.