provision

[pruh-vizh-uhn]

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

/ 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

verb

1. (tr) to supply with provisions

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of provision¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of provision¹

C14: from Latin prōvīsiō a providing; see _provide

Synonym Study

See food.

Example Sentences

Another provision would limit every municipality, no matter its size, to a single ballot drop box.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Adding to those concerns is the possibility that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority could weaken a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act and limit lawmakers’ ability to consider race when redrawing maps.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Salakaia says there is a provision in Georgian law for pregnant women, raising the family's hopes that the teenager could be released before giving birth.

Read more on BBC

He does, however, support Mamdani's universal childcare plan, a provision he gives his own staff at his casino upstate.

Read more on BBC

This provision theoretically applies to everybody, but in practice it only matters for one person: the first true two-way threat to come along in more than a century.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arrangement 
• plan