provider
AmericanOther Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of provider
Explanation
A provider is a person who gives someone something they need. If your parents both have jobs so they can feed you and buy you what you need, you can call them providers. Your mom's a provider if she works so she can care for you, put food on the table, and send you to school. There are other types of providers as well, although they all give you something you need, often a service. Your school is a provider of education, and the pharmacy around the corner is a provider of medication, makeup, and magazines. It's increasingly common to call your main doctor a "primary care provider."
Vocabulary lists containing provider
Father's Day Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Raisin in the Sun," "My Father is a Simple Man," and "My Mother Pieced Quilts"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
She also noted that patients experiencing cognitive problems during cancer treatment should consult their healthcare provider before starting any intervention to ensure it is appropriate for their individual situation.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Investor sentiment has improved even more drastically for the speculative-grade CoreWeave, a former bitcoin miner turned prominent AI cloud-computing provider.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The data-center developer announced an unnamed large cloud provider signed a 15-year lease at a new artificial-intelligence campus.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Cloud provider CoreWeave leased the first 800 megawatts and is equipping the data center itself.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Wilfred, the father, the family protector and provider, was the first to rise.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
