Supervision: meaning, definitions and examples

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supervision

 

[ ˌsuː.pəˈvɪʒ.ən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

at work

The action of supervising or overseeing the work or tasks of others.

Synonyms

direction, management, oversight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supervision

This term is typically used when referring to the act of monitoring or overseeing the activities of others to ensure they are carried out correctly or safely.

  • The children need constant supervision while playing near the pool.
  • The project is under the supervision of our senior manager.
oversight

Usually used in formal or official contexts, it refers to the action of overseeing something to ensure it's done correctly, often implying a supervisory role with a level of authority or accountability.

  • The committee is responsible for the oversight of financial affairs.
  • Due to an oversight, the report was submitted late.
management

Commonly used in a business or organizational context, it refers to the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. It involves planning, organizing, leading, and coordinating activities.

  • Effective management of resources is crucial for the project's success.
  • She excels in time management.
direction

Often used to describe the guidance or instructions given to achieve a specific goal. It implies leading or instructing someone towards a certain outcome.

  • The team looked to the CEO for direction during the crisis.
  • She gave clear directions to the new interns.

Examples of usage

  • The manager provided supervision to the new employees.
  • I am responsible for the supervision of the entire project.
Context #2 | Noun

education

The act of watching over students during an exam or other academic activity to prevent cheating.

Synonyms

monitoring, observation, surveillance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supervision

Use this term when talking about overseeing someone's work or activities to ensure they are done correctly. It's often used in workplaces, educational settings, and for overseeing children.

  • The new employees require close supervision during their first few months.
  • The teacher provided supervision during the exam to prevent cheating.
monitoring

This term is suitable for continuous or regular checking and assessing of a process, system, or situation over time. It is often used in contexts like technology, health, and environment.

  • The IT team is responsible for monitoring the network for any suspicious activity.
  • Doctors are monitoring the patient's condition closely.
observation

Use this term when referring to watching something carefully to gain information or notice changes. It is common in scientific and medical contexts, but can also be used in everyday situations.

  • The scientist's observation of the stars revealed new insights.
  • The doctor made a diagnosis after careful observation of the symptoms.
surveillance

This term is often used in contexts that involve watching people or places to gather information, especially for security or protective purposes. It may carry a negative connotation when used in terms of privacy invasion.

  • The police set up surveillance on the suspect's home.
  • Increasing surveillance at airports has become a priority for security agencies.

Examples of usage

  • During the exam, there will be strict supervision to ensure fairness.
  • The teacher's supervision during the test was thorough.

Translations

Translations of the word "supervision" in other languages:

🇵🇹 supervisão

🇮🇳 निगरानी

🇩🇪 Überwachung

🇮🇩 pengawasan

🇺🇦 нагляд

🇵🇱 nadzór

🇯🇵 監視

🇫🇷 supervision

🇪🇸 supervisión

🇹🇷 denetim

🇰🇷 감독

🇸🇦 إشراف

🇨🇿 dozor

🇸🇰 dozorná činnosť

🇨🇳 监督

🇸🇮 nadzor

🇮🇸 yfirumsjón

🇰🇿 бақылау

🇬🇪 მეთვალყურეობა

🇦🇿 nəzarət

🇲🇽 supervisión

Etymology

The word 'supervision' originated from the Latin word 'supervisionem', which means 'to oversee'. The concept of supervision has been present in various forms throughout history, with the modern definition focusing on overseeing tasks or people in a professional or educational setting. The importance of supervision in ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance has led to its widespread use in different fields.

See also: supervised, supervising, supervisor, supervisory, unsupervised.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,750, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.