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⇱ PROVISION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


provision

American  
[pruh-vizh-uhn] / prəˈvɪʒ ən /

noun

  1. a clause in a legal instrument, a law, etc., providing for a particular matter; stipulation; proviso.

    Synonyms:
    condition
  2. the providing or supplying of something, especially of food or other necessities.

  3. arrangement or preparation beforehand, as for the doing of something, the meeting of needs, the supplying of means, etc.

  4. something provided; a measure or other means for meeting a need.

  5. a supply or stock of something provided.

  6. provisions, supplies of food.

    Synonyms:
    stock, provender, store
  7. Ecclesiastical.

    1. an appointment to an ecclesiastical office.

    2. appointment by the pope to a see or benefice not yet vacant.


verb (used with object)

  1. to supply with provisions.

provision British  
/ prəˈvɪʒən /

noun

  1. the act of supplying or providing food, etc

  2. something that is supplied or provided

  3. preparations made beforehand (esp in the phrase make provision for )

  4. (plural) food and other necessities, esp for an expedition

  5. (plural) food obtained for a household

  6. a demand, condition, or stipulation formally incorporated in a document; proviso

  7. the conferring of and induction into ecclesiastical offices

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to supply with provisions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See food.

Other Word Forms

  • overprovision noun
  • preprovision noun
  • provisioner noun
  • provisionless adjective
  • reprovision verb
  • self-provision noun
  • unprovisioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of provision

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin prōvīsiōn- (stem of prōvīsiō ) “a foreseeing,” equivalent to prōvīs(us) (past participle of prōvidēre “to foresee, look after, provide”) + -iōn- suffix; provide, -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The BBC contacted Health Minister Madalitso Baloyi to request an interview about national provision for children with autism but did not receive a response.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

As critics note, though, this provision does not require states to reveal sensitive voter information.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

At one point, Justice Samuel Alito, echoing Winston Churchill, described the key, five-word provision of the 14th Amendment as “a puzzle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a mystery.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

By that point, lawmakers appear to have understood this provision to cover the children of all immigrants no matter their parents’ status.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Then I couldn’t help asking, “And why didn’t your folks make some provision for her?”

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.