# overseer

/ˈoʊvɝˈsiɝ/ (US) · /ˌəʊvəsˈiə/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overseer
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The overseer checked the workers' progress every hour.
- The overseer of the construction site ensured that all safety protocols were followed during the final phase of the project.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.