providence
1 Americannoun
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(often initial capital letter) the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.
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(initial capital letter) God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
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a manifestation of divine care or direction.
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provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.
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foresight; provident care.
noun
noun
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012noun
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012noun
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Christianity God's foreseeing protection and care of his creatures
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such protection and care as manifest by some other force
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a supposed manifestation of such care and guidance
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the foresight or care exercised by a person in the management of his affairs or resources
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Port of entry and major trading center.
Roger Williams founded Providence in the early seventeenth century after he was exiled from the colony of Massachusetts. He named it in gratitude for “God's merciful providence.”
Etymology
Origin of providence
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin prōvidentia “foresight, forethought,” from prōvident- (stem of prōvidēns provident ) + -ia, noun suffix
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.
Bannon described the president as an “instrument of divine will and providence.”
From Salon
In the 1994 classic, Tom Hanks ruminates about fate, resilience and providence, from a park bench that has become a part of movie lore in the way of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers.
From Los Angeles Times
"By the hand of providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal," Trump said.
From Salon
“President Trump needs the most coverage of anyone,” Johnson said, attributing his survival to providence.
From Los Angeles Times
Former President Trump said Thursday that divine providence saved him from being killed by an assassin in his first public remarks since he was injured by a gunman’s bullet over the weekend.
From Los Angeles Times
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.