(often initial capital letter) the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.
(initial capital letter) God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
a manifestation of divine care or direction.
provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.
foresight; provident care.
Christianity God's foreseeing protection and care of his creatures
such protection and care as manifest by some other force
a supposed manifestation of such care and guidance
the foresight or care exercised by a person in the management of his affairs or resources
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.”
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin prōvidentia “foresight, forethought,” from prōvident- (stem of prōvidēns provident ) + -ia, noun suffix
Providence is the guardianship and care provided by a deity or god. Religious people thank their god for his providence. The word provide is a good clue to this word's meaning: when a religious being is said to give people providence, he's taking care of them — providing for them. For religious people, any good thing that happens to them — like landing a new job, getting healthy, or finding money on the ground — could be considered an example of providence. You can also talk about people providing providence, if they're showing care and prudence in managing resources.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“For a family that lives in Boston or Providence, or any place close, it’s just ideal,” Kennedy Townsend added.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
Every eight weeks or so, I head to the blood donation center in Providence bright and early.
From Slate • May 9, 2026
The group also approached Providence Village, a planned community in North Texas that Martinez de Vara had helped to incorporate more than a decade earlier.
From Salon • May 3, 2026
The auction could become complicated particularly if Providence decides to unwind the business.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
And then, somewhere outside Providence, in an abandoned, grassy field, the train stops.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
