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Synonyms

supervisor

American  
[soo-per-vahy-zer] / ˈsu pərˌvaɪ zər /

noun

  1. a person who supervises workers or the work done by others; superintendent.

  2. Education. an official responsible for assisting teachers in the preparation of syllabuses, in devising teaching methods, etc., in a department of instruction, especially in public schools.

  3. (in some U.S. states) the chief elected administrative officer of a township, who is often also a member of the governing board of the county.


supervisor British  
/ ˈsuːpəˌvaɪzə /

noun

  1. a person who manages or supervises

  2. a foreman or forewoman

  3. (in some British universities) a tutor supervising the work, esp research work, of a student

  4. (in some US schools) an administrator running a department of teachers

  5. (in some US states) the elected chief official of a township or other subdivision of a county

  6. obsolete a spectator

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does supervisor mean? A supervisor is someone who oversees and provides direction for someone or something.More simply, a supervisor is someone who supervises. It’s most commonly used in the context of the workplace to refer to a type of manager who supervises other employees.The adjective supervisory describes things that involve supervision. A supervisor’s role can be described as supervisory.Supervisor can be used more specifically in the context of education to refer to a type of official or tutor or in the context of government to refer to a type of elected local official who serves on a board with other supervisors.Example: The key to being a good supervisor is to give your employees enough space to do their jobs, instead of constantly standing over their shoulders.

Other Word Forms

  • presupervisor noun
  • supervisorship noun

Etymology

Origin of supervisor

1425–75; late Middle English < Medieval Latin supervīsor, equivalent to supervid-, stem of supervidēre to supervise + -tor -tor, with dt > s

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Khamenei was appointed to several posts: first as deputy defense minister, then imam for Tehran’s Friday prayers and, crucially, a supervisor for the Revolutionary Guard.

From Los Angeles Times

“A tropical weather pattern makes them really active, busy biting, getting blood meals and laying eggs,” said Cary Svoboda, supervisor of Ventura County’s vector control program.

From Los Angeles Times

In December, the California State Auditor said a supervisor wrongly let four Alcoholic Beverage Control managers commute in their state vehicles, at an estimated cost of $16,200.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fed supervisors will have to communicate to managers that they expect banks to borrow from the discount window as a normal matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, the inquiry heard temporary police sergeant Read did not conduct the required 28-day supervisor's review of PC Taylor's investigation.

From BBC