auspice
Americannoun
-
Usually auspices patronage; support; sponsorship.
under the auspices of the Department of Education.
-
Often auspices a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.
-
a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.
noun
-
(usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the auspices of )
-
(often plural) a sign or omen, esp one that is favourable
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of auspice
First recorded in 1525–35; from French, from Latin auspicium “a bird-watching, divination from flight of birds,” equivalent to auspic- (stem of auspex ) + -ium -ium
Explanation
An auspice is a little glimpse of the future, like a sign or omen. If a ladybug lands on your arm, you may see it as an auspice of good luck. The 16th-century definition of auspice was "observation of birds for the purpose of taking omens," from a Latin root with the same meaning. If you see a single crow as an auspice of good fortune, you are literally taking omens from birds! In its plural form, auspices are a kind of guidance or assistance: "She's teaching accordion in my school under the auspices of a state fund for music education."
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.
See Examples For:
During that time, I felt sort of set free by living under Kelly Reichardt’s auspice.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2016
These games were developed by a special collaboration between scientists and game developers under the auspice of the Royal Society.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 4, 2013
The station has only recently moved into Bauer's London HQ under the auspice of former Top of the Pops executive producer, Ric Blaxill.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 3, 2013
Under the auspice of history, box-office failures like The Wizard of Oz and It's a Wonderful Life outshine some of their era's biggest hits.
From Time Magazine Archive
The loftiest light Flashed from God's Face on Reason's orient verge Answers that bird-cry from the Heart of man— Poor Heart that, darkling, kept so long its watch— The auspice of the dawn.
From Legends of the Saxon Saints by De Vere, Aubrey
The memo also says that Iran's enriched uranium will be "down-blended" – meaning diluted – on site, under the auspices of the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
Mojica Loaisiga is a special correspondent writing for The Times under the auspices of the International Center for Journalists.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026
"We do have a normalisation agreement," Kurti said, referring to the agreement signed under the auspices of the European Union in 2023.
From Barron's ● Dec. 24, 2025
Though cagey on peace with Israel, Mr. Sharaa is negotiating a security agreement with the Jewish state under Mr. Trump’s auspices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2025
“How dare you come here under the auspices of my House?”
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
