oversight

noun

over·sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt

Synonyms of oversight

: watchful and responsible care

… you to whom oversight of the University is entrusted …—N. M. Pusey

: regulatory supervision

congressional oversight

The new manager was given oversight of the project.

: an inadvertent omission or error

… whether by oversight or intention …—George Bernard Shaw

The error was a simple oversight.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The crucial department is in charge of business oversight, including issuing licenses and conducting inspections. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The logic of relentless security oversight has also radically curtailed the release of even routine statistics. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 That work feeds federal and state threat assessments, informs social media platforms on how to identify extremist users and content, shapes prevention programs and supplies the evidentiary basis for prosecutions and congressional oversight. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 California lawmakers voted unanimously Sunday to pass a bill seeking to shore up fireworks licensing and oversight after the deadly July 1, 2025, fireworks explosion in Esparto. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oversight

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

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Browse Nearby Words

overside

oversight

oversigned

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Contradictory Words Quiz

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An Overview of the Contronym 'Overlook'

If you're overlooking, are you watching or missing something?

Words That are Their Own Opposites

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oversight

noun

over·sight -ˌsīt

: the act or duty of overseeing : supervision

have the oversight of a job

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

oversight

noun

Synonyms of oversight

Examples of oversight in a Sentence

Word History