supervise

verb

su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising
Synonyms of supervisenext

transitive verb

: to be in charge of : superintend, oversee
supervise a large staff
supervised the ship's daily operations

Synonyms of supervise

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Examples of supervise in a Sentence

The builder supervised the construction of the house. She supervises a staff of 30 workers.
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.
And people under 16 must be supervised by an adult to sell fireworks. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 While older children can use sparklers, they should be supervised, Heckman said. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 The jobs that grow are the ones that supervise, design and audit the agents—people who can say what good output looks like catch the agent being confidently wrong and own the judgment calls that never go away. — Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The kids’ club offers art and crafts, baking and cooking classes, outdoor games and supervised visits to the next-door Two Oceans Aquarium. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for supervise

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre, from Latin super- + vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supervise was circa 1645

Rhymes for supervise

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Browse Nearby Words

supervisal
supervise
supervised study
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Cite this Entry

“Supervise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervise. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

supervise

verb
su·​per·​vise ˈsü-pər-ˌvīz How to pronounce supervise (audio)
supervised; supervising
: superintend, oversee
Etymology

from Latin supervisus, past participle of supervidēre "to oversee," from super- "over, above" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision

More from Merriam-Webster on supervise

Nglish: Translation of supervise for Spanish Speakers

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