oversight

noun

over·​sight ˈō-vər-ˌsīt How to pronounce oversight (audio)
1
a
: watchful and responsible care
you to whom oversight of the University is entrustedN. 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 intentionG. B. 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.
Finally, establishing comprehensive oversight mechanisms is key. Craig Costigan, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Whether this was caused by negligence or lack of oversight, the result is the same — the privacy and rights of Illinois residents were compromised, and that’s unacceptable. Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 Correct the oversight quickly, and the credit universe might never know. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 June 2025 The two-day event at a private club illustrates not only the overlap between the Foundation’s charitable arm and the DeSantis political operation, but messiness with the financial oversight of the nearly 2-year-old organization. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 14 June 2025 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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Cite this Entry

“Oversight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oversight. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

oversight

noun
over·​sight -ˌsīt How to pronounce oversight (audio)
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

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