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
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—G. B. Shaw
G. B. ShawThe error was a simple oversight.
Synonyms
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
The lawsuit is one of several class-action proceedings that have led the courts to assume oversight of the prison system’s treatment of those who are sick or suffer from mental illnesses.
—Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
With it, lawmakers would allocate roughly $550 million to the Justice Department and leading inspectors general to bolster their oversight of federal spending.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill and its companion, House Bill 560, proposed requiring some state oversight over the state’s unlicensed Christian boarding schools, which were exempt from any regulations.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile some oversight officials worried about the apparent lack of outside input.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Charter back office providers should adopt an integrity policy, the report said, that includes fraud risk management and requires oversight of the providers’ reporting to their charter schools.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
One benefit, according to the FCC official, is granting the agency greater oversight over internet outages if ISPs are classified as common carriers.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
State leaders say the court ruling increased the urgency to put state oversight in place.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s because world leaders aren’t acting aggressively and fast enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Jones told a state oversight agency Thursday.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
With it, lawmakers would allocate roughly $550 million to the Justice Department and leading inspectors general to bolster their oversight of federal spending.
—Tony Romm, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
The bill and its companion, House Bill 560, proposed requiring some state oversight over the state’s unlicensed Christian boarding schools, which were exempt from any regulations.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile some oversight officials worried about the apparent lack of outside input.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Charter back office providers should adopt an integrity policy, the report said, that includes fraud risk management and requires oversight of the providers’ reporting to their charter schools.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
One benefit, according to the FCC official, is granting the agency greater oversight over internet outages if ISPs are classified as common carriers.
—Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
State leaders say the court ruling increased the urgency to put state oversight in place.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s because world leaders aren’t acting aggressively and fast enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Jones told a state oversight agency Thursday.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oversight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of oversight was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near oversight
Cite this Entry
“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on oversight
Nglish: Translation of oversight for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of oversight for Arabic Speakers
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