First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
province
noun prov·ince \ˈprä-vən(t)s\
: any one of the large parts that some countries are divided into
: a subject or area of interest that a person knows about or is involved in
the provinces : the parts of a country that are away from large cities
Full Definition of PROVINCE
1
a : a country or region brought under the control of the ancient Roman government b : an administrative district or division of a country c plural : all of a country except the metropolises
2
a : a division of a country forming the jurisdiction of an archbishop or metropolitan b : a territorial unit of a religious order
3
a : a biogeographic division of less rank than a region b : an area that exhibits essential continuity of geological history; also : one characterized by particular structural or petrological features
4
a : proper or appropriate function or scope : sphere <that question is outside my province> b : a department of knowledge or activity
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Origin of PROVINCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin provincia
Related to PROVINCE
Synonym Discussion of PROVINCE
function, office, duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of a person or thing. function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work <the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley>. office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others <they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone>. duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling <it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney>. province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one <I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë>.
Other Government and Politics Terms
PROVINCE Defined for Kids
province
noun prov·ince \ˈprä-vəns\
Definition of PROVINCE for Kids
1
: a part of a country having a government of its own (as one of the divisions of Canada)
2
provinces plural : the part or parts of a country far from the capital or chief city
3
: an area of activity or authority <the province of science>
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