providing

American

[pruh-vahy-ding] / prəˈvaɪ dɪŋ /

conjunction

on the condition or understanding (that); provided.

He can stay here providing he works.

providing British

/ prəˈvaɪdɪŋ /

conjunction

on the condition or understanding (that)

I'll play, providing you pay me

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Commonly Confused

See provided.

Related Words

See if.

Etymology

Origin of providing

First recorded in 1375–1425, providing is from the late Middle English word provydyng. See provide, -ing ²

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.

The US Defense Department said its forces boarded a vessel in the Indian Ocean that was providing material support to Iran, the second time it had done so in three days.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Williams also prohibited the government from re-detaining Villegas without providing notice and a hearing before a “neutral adjudicator.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

SNP minister Mairi McAllan has said there should be more drilling in the North Sea, providing it is compatible with energy targets and required for energy security.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Most, but not all, CLO ETFs invest only in the top Triple-A category of debt securities, providing investors with what the Deutsche Bank team called an “up-in-quality positioning during a heightened period of macro uncertainty.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

With Dr. Mudd providing advice and assistance, Herold rode to Bryantown to find a buggy or carriage to transport Booth south.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023