superintend

verb

su·​per·​in·​tend ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈtend How to pronounce superintend (audio)
ˌsü-pərn-
superintended; superintending; superintends

transitive verb

: to have or exercise the charge and oversight of : direct

Examples of superintend in a Sentence

superintends the construction of all scenery at the summer theater homeschooling parents who superintend their children's education
Recent Examples on the Web For one thing, there is not that much the superintendent can superintend. Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024 In a country that understood its heritage, the members of that court would insist that their role was not to superintend the discussion of current affairs and laugh Mann out of the room. The Editors, National Review, 16 Jan. 2024 He was promoted the following year to superintending statistician. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2023 There’s also a butler (Paul Rhys), who superintends the household with all the warmth of the Grim Reaper. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023 Wary of another reversal, Twitter has reportedly asked the Delaware Court of Chancery to superintend the closing. Jaimie Dingstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2022 Congress, aware of this, has declined to accord the CDC the power to superintend this area. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 4 Aug. 2021 It’s not the Supreme Court’s job to superintend the administrative state. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Aug. 2021 Braun will also superintend work on an ambitious orbital mission to the Jupiter system focused on its icy moon Europa as well as the Psyche mission to a metallic asteroid. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superintend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin superintendere, from Latin super- + intendere to stretch out, direct — more at intend

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of superintend was in 1564

Dictionary Entries Near superintend

Cite this Entry

“Superintend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superintend. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

superintend

verb
su·​per·​in·​tend ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈtend How to pronounce superintend (audio)
ˌsü-pərn-
: to be in charge of : direct

More from Merriam-Webster on superintend

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