supervision

[soo-per-vizh-uhn]

noun

1. the act or function of supervising; superintendence.

Other Word Forms

• nonsupervision noun
• presupervision noun
• prosupervision adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supervision¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin supervīsiōn- (stem of supervīsiō ) oversight, equivalent to super- super- + vīsiōn- vision

Example Sentences

The police checkpoints established by Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal supervision, Wiley added, demonstrate the racial motivations behind the entire crackdown.

From Salon

The 15-year-old, from near Market Drayton in Shropshire, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to possessing a butterfly knife, a stun gun, a baton and crossbow without supervision in November.

From BBC

The notice recommended vaccines, but it worried public health specialists because it also promoted vitamin A as a treatment under medical supervision.

From Salon

It also found the "support, supervision and guidance" he received from the church was "significantly absent".

From BBC

He was sentenced to three years in prison and three years under supervision in the community.

From BBC

Related Words

• administration 
• care 
• control 
• guidance 
• instruction 
• oversight 
• surveillance 

When To Use

What does supervision mean?

Supervision is the act of overseeing or watching over someone or something.Supervision is the noun form of the verb supervise, meaning to oversee or watch over. You can supervise a project, but most of the time supervision means supervising people, especially parents supervising their children or a manager or supervisor supervising their employees.Someone or something being supervised is said to be under supervision. When it’s used in the context of adults watching children, the word often appears in the phrases parental supervision and adult supervision. Children or other people who can’t be left alone are said to need constant supervision.Example: All children in this building must be under adult supervision.