First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1provision
noun pro·vi·sion \prə-ˈvi-zhən\
: the act or process of supplying or providing something
: something that is done in advance to prepare for something else
provisions : a supply of food and other things that are needed
Full Definition of PROVISION
1
a : the act or process of providing(see provide) b : the fact or state of being prepared beforehand c : a measure taken beforehand to deal with a need or contingency : preparation <made provision for replacements>
2
: a stock of needed materials or supplies; especially : a stock of food —usually used in plural
3
See provision defined for English-language learners
See provision defined for kids
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Examples of PROVISION
- The President, of all people, should know how difficult it is to take care of basic things like, say, prescription drugs for the elderly or shelter from the storm—especially if your government places a low priority on the efficient provision of public services and a high priority on the care and feeding of cronies … —Joe Klein, Time, 6 Feb. 2006
- Nothing was overlooked. There was a fallback position, a fail-safe provision, for any contingency. —Gary Wills, New York Times Book Review, 1 Apr. 2001
- They wheedled the American Congress into awarding entry terms more favorable than those enjoyed by any other state, including two unique provisions: Texas and not the federal government would own all public lands, and the state would retain forever the right to divide into five smaller states if that proved attractive, each one to have two senators and a proportionate number of representatives. —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
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Origin of PROVISION
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin provision-, provisio act of providing, from Latin, foresight, from providēre to see ahead — more at provide
Related to PROVISION
- Synonyms
- contingency, if, condition, proviso, qualification, reservation, stipulation
Rhymes with PROVISION
2provision
verb pro·vi·sion \prə-ˈvi-zhən\
: to supply (someone or something) with provisions and especially with food
pro·vi·sionedpro·vi·sion·ing \-ˈvi-zhə-niŋ, -ˈvizh-niŋ\
Full Definition of PROVISION
transitive verb
: to supply with needed materials (as food) : to supply with provisions
See provision defined for English-language learners
Examples of PROVISION
- Few modern eaters consume such a wide range of plants, fruits, and animals, even when provisioned by a vast international or multi-ethnic marketplace. —Donna R. Gabaccia, We Are What We Eat, 1998
- But biographies, like translations, are rarely provisioned to last forever, for they reflect the world of their authors as much as their subjects. —Morris Dickstein, New York Times Book Review, 1 Feb. 1998
- As the cubs began to feed more regularly on meat, she provisioned them with hares, hyraxes, an Egyptian mongoose, and guinea fowl. —John A. Cavallo, Natural History, February 1990
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Origin of PROVISION
(see 1provision)
First Known Use: 1809
Related to PROVISION
Rhymes with PROVISION
PROVISION[1] Defined for Kids
1provision
noun pro·vi·sion \prə-ˈvi-zhən\
Definition of PROVISION for Kids
1
: a stock or store of supplies and especially of food —usually used in pl. <We have provisions to last us a week.>
2
: the act of supplying <the provision of food>
3
: 1condition 2 <the provisions of a contract>
4
: something done beforehand <Make provision for emergencies.>
2provision
verb
pro·vi·sionedpro·vi·sion·ing
Definition of PROVISION for Kids
: to supply with things that are needed
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