auspice
Americannoun
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auspices
plural
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Usually auspices patronage; support; sponsorship.
under the auspices of the Department of Education.
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Often auspices a favorable sign or propitious circumstance.
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a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds.
noun
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(usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the auspices of )
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(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:
People were bemused earlier this year upon learning that former presidential candidate Mitt Romney had a sock puppet account – an account used to big oneself up, under the auspice of being someone else.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 3, 2019
During that time, I felt sort of set free by living under Kelly Reichardt’s auspice.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2016
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
It is an auspice of the most eminent fortune.
From David Lockwin—The People's Idol by John McGovern
DHS consolidated a whole bunch of agencies under its auspices, from the Coast Guard to Federal Emergency Management Agency, but its most consequential new department was the U.S.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
"We call on all actors to constructively engage in negotiations under UN auspices."
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
It also pledged their "commitment to working towards achieving our just southern goal through preparations for a comprehensive southern conference under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".
From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026
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
The cops had come to see him under the auspices of child welfare, making sure that Toby would have a place to stay for the night.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
