supervisor

noun

su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
Synonyms of supervisornext
: one that supervises
especially : an administrative officer in charge of a business, government, or school unit or operation
supervisory
ˌsü-pər-ˈvī-zə-rē How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
-ˈvīz-rē
adjective

Synonyms of supervisor

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Examples of supervisor in a Sentence

The supervisor fired him after he showed up at work drunk. If you have a problem, go to your supervisor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, music supervisor Thomas Golubić assembled a range of possible tracks and let the sequence reveal itself in the edit. — Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 Kim, 49, a member of San Francisco’s board of supervisors from 2011 to 2019, has touted her advocacy for California’s first $15 minimum wage and making the city’s community college tuition free, among other progressive causes. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Production designer Ryan Warren Smith (The Holdovers), costume designer Chloe Karmin (Succession), and music supervisor Mandy Mamlet (Challengers) were among the crew members tasked with restoring P-town to its glory, circa 1975. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 According to the supervisor of elections, Bryant had $10,567 in campaign contributions, which includes $1,226 from herself, as of July 31. — Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supervisor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from supervidēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supervisor was in the 15th century

Rhymes for supervisor

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Browse Nearby Words

supervision
supervisor
supervisor district
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Cite this Entry

“Supervisor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervisor. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

supervisor

noun
su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
: a person who supervises
especially : an officer in charge of a unit or an operation of a business, government, or school
supervisory
ˌsü-pər-ˈvīz-(ə-)rē How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

supervisor

noun
su·​per·​vi·​sor ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
: one that directs or oversees a person, group, department, organization, or operation
specifically : the popularly elected chief administrative official of a township or other subdivision in some states of the U.S.
supervisorial
ˌsü-pər-ˌvī-ˈzōr-ē-əl
adjective
supervisory
ˌsü-pər-ˈvī-zə-rē How to pronounce supervisor (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on supervisor

Nglish: Translation of supervisor for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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