A program, usually part of an operating system, that controls the execution of other routines and regulates work scheduling, input-output operations, error actions, and similar functions. 2. A program that allocates computer component space and schedules computer events by task queuing and system interrupts. Note: Control of the system is returned to the supervisory program frequently enough to ensure that demands on the system are met. Synonym supervisory routine. 3. A computer program, usually part of an operating system, that controls the execution of other computer programs and regulates the flow of work in a data processing system. Synonyms executive program, supervisor.