super|sede /suː pə r siː d/ (supersedes , superseding , superseded ) VERB [usu passive] If something is superseded by something newer, it is replaced because it has become old-fashioned or unacceptable. □ [be V -ed] Hand tools are relics of the past that have now been superseded by the machine. [Also V n]
super|size /suː pə r sa I z/ ADJ Supersize things are very large. □ …a supersize portion of fries.
super|son|ic /suː pə r sɒ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Supersonic aircraft travel faster than the speed of sound. □ There was a huge bang; it sounded like a supersonic jet.
super|star /suː pə r stɑː r / (superstars ) N‑COUNT A superstar is a very famous entertainer or sports player. [INFORMAL ] □ …a Hollywood superstar.
su|per|state /suː pə r ste I t/ (superstates ) N‑COUNT A superstate is a group of several countries that are very closely linked politically. □ At the height of his power Charlemagne ruled over a veritable superstate.
super|sti|tion /suː pə r st I ʃ ə n/ (superstitions ) N‑VAR Superstition is belief in things that are not real or possible, for example magic. □ Fortune-telling is a very much debased art surrounded by superstition.
super|sti|tious /suː pə r st I ʃəs/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] People who are superstitious believe in things that are not real or possible, for example magic. □ Jean was extremely superstitious and believed the colour green brought bad luck.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Superstitious fears or beliefs are irrational and not based on fact. □ A wave of superstitious fear spread among the townspeople.
super|store /suː pə r stɔː r / (superstores ) N‑COUNT Superstores are very large supermarkets or shops selling household goods and equipment. Superstores are usually built outside city centres away from other shops. □ …a Do-It-Yourself superstore.
super|struc|ture /suː pə r strʌktʃə r / (superstructures ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The superstructure of a ship is the part of it that is above its main deck. □ We might try to clear up some of the cabins in the superstructure.
super|tank|er /suː pə r tæŋkə r / (supertankers ) N‑COUNT A supertanker is an extremely large ship that is used for transporting oil.
super|vise /suː pə r va I z/ (supervises , supervising , supervised )
1 VERB If you supervise an activity or a person, you make sure that the activity is done correctly or that the person is doing a task or behaving correctly. □ [V n] University teachers have refused to supervise students' examinations.
2 VERB If you supervise a place where work is done, you ensure that the work there is done properly. □ [V n] He will be supervising the site.
super|vi|sion /suː pə r v I ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft under N ] Supervision is the supervising of people, activities, or places. □ A toddler requires close supervision and firm control at all times. □ [+ of ] The plan calls for a cease-fire and U.N. supervision of the country.
super|vi|sor /suː pə r va I zə r / (supervisors ) N‑COUNT A supervisor is a person who supervises activities or people, especially workers or students. □ …a full-time job as a supervisor at a factory. □ Each student has a supervisor to advise on the writing of the dissertation.
super|vi|sory /suː pə r va I zəri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Supervisory means involved in supervising people, activities, or places. □ Most supervisory boards meet only twice a year. □ …staff with a minor supervisory role.
super|woman /suː pə r wʊmən/ (superwomen ) N‑VAR Superwoman is used to refer to a type of ideal woman who is able to do many things in her life successfully at the same time, such as have a job, bring up children, care for her home, and be attractive. □ Superwoman exists only in the minds of journalists and Hollywood producers.
su|pine /suː pa I n/ ADJ If you are supine , you are lying flat on your back. [FORMAL ] □ …bedridden persons confined to the supine position. ● ADV [ADV after v] Supine is also an adverb. □ I lay supine on the poolside grass.
sup|per /sʌ pə r / (suppers )
1 N‑VAR Some people refer to the main meal eaten in the early part of the evening as supper . □ Some guests like to dress for supper.
2 N‑VAR Supper is a simple meal eaten just before you go to bed at night. □ She gives the children their supper, then puts them to bed.
su p|per club (supper clubs ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a supper club is a small expensive nightclub.
sup|per|time /sʌ pə r ta I m/ N‑UNCOUNT Suppertime is the period of the day when people have their supper. It can be in the early part of the evening or just before they go to bed at night. □ They'll be back by suppertime.
sup|plant /səplɑː nt, -plæ nt/ (supplants , supplanting , supplanted ) VERB If a person or thing is supplanted , another person or thing takes their place. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] He may be supplanted by a younger man. □ [V n] By the 1930s the wristwatch had almost completely supplanted the pocket watch.
sup|ple /sʌ p ə l/ (suppler , supplest )
1 ADJ A supple object or material bends or changes shape easily without cracking or breaking. □ The leather is supple and sturdy enough to last for years.