English Reference
Noun

overseer

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈoʊvɝˈsiɝ/ UK /ˌəʊvəsˈiə/ over·seer UK spelling overseers

n.a person who is in charge of a group of workers or a specific project. In the past, this word was often used for someone who managed a large farm or a group of slaves.

n.a person who supervises or manages a group of workers or a specific task. Historically used to describe a manager of a plantation or a group of enslaved people.


SIMPLE

The overseer checked the workers' progress every hour.

CONTEXTUAL

The overseer of the construction site ensured that all safety protocols were followed during the final phase of the project.

COMPLEX

In the historical context of the American South, the overseer was often the most feared figure on the plantation, responsible for the daily discipline and productivity of the labor force.

The miners were overwhelmingly Black, while their overseers were white men.

The Conversation· 27 Jul 2026

From oversee + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated