oversight

noun

over·​sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt 

1

a

: watchful and responsible care

… you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted …

—N. M. Pusey

b

: regulatory supervision

congressional oversight

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

2

: an inadvertent omission or error

… whether by oversight or intention …

—George Bernard Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

Synonyms of oversight

• management
• supervision
• control
• operation
• administration
• handling
• stewardship
• government
• direction
• governance

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

The fact that you didn't get an invitation is surely just an oversight.

The error was a simple oversight.

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift, a nonprofit watchdog group focused on the Railroad Commission, said the agency has long struggled with transparency and oversight. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Liliana Bakhtiari introduced a measure Monday that would prohibit Atlanta police from acquiring artificial intelligence tools capable of using lethal force without human oversight. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The fund was created to improve program management and conduct oversight of contracts and contractors, according to the Congressional Budget Office, but its purpose has expanded after various legislative changes. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Madagascar’s coup last year halted oversight of and reforms to the economy. — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oversight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

oversight

noun

over·​sight -ˌsīt 

1

: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision

have the oversight of a job

2

: an error or a leaving something out through carelessness or haste