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 …—George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard ShawThe 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
The organization implements a proactive system of internal oversight, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly reviews to ensure continuous compliance and performance across all locations.
—Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
To rectify this oversight, a few years ago, my friend Cassey Lottman and I created the Great Farts of Literature database, an ongoing project dedicated to cataloging the best butt bombs in print and from which this list is adapted.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Previously, those roles fell to athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois, with additional oversight by the president.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The bill, lawmakers said, will establish Connecticut as a national leader in oversight of a major industry that involves billions of dollars and is a large driver on the stock market.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for oversight
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Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
To rectify this oversight, a few years ago, my friend Cassey Lottman and I created the Great Farts of Literature database, an ongoing project dedicated to cataloging the best butt bombs in print and from which this list is adapted.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Previously, those roles fell to athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois, with additional oversight by the president.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The bill, lawmakers said, will establish Connecticut as a national leader in oversight of a major industry that involves billions of dollars and is a large driver on the stock market.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for oversight
Cite this Entry
“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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