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provision

American  
[pruh-vizh-uhn] / prəˈvɪʒ ən /

noun

  1. a clause in a legal instrument, a law, etc., providing for a particular matter; stipulation; proviso.

    Synonyms:
    condition
  2. the providing or supplying of something, especially of food or other necessities.

  3. arrangement or preparation beforehand, as for the doing of something, the meeting of needs, the supplying of means, etc.

  4. something provided; a measure or other means for meeting a need.

  5. a supply or stock of something provided.

  6. provisions, supplies of food.

    Synonyms:
    stock, provender, store
  7. Ecclesiastical.

    1. an appointment to an ecclesiastical office.

    2. appointment by the pope to a see or benefice not yet vacant.


verb (used with object)

  1. to supply with provisions.

provision British  
/ prəˈvɪʒən /

noun

  1. the act of supplying or providing food, etc

  2. something that is supplied or provided

  3. preparations made beforehand (esp in the phrase make provision for )

  4. (plural) food and other necessities, esp for an expedition

  5. (plural) food obtained for a household

  6. a demand, condition, or stipulation formally incorporated in a document; proviso

  7. the conferring of and induction into ecclesiastical offices

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to supply with provisions

"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

Related Words

See food.

Other Word Forms

  • overprovision noun
  • preprovision noun
  • provisioner noun
  • provisionless adjective
  • reprovision verb
  • self-provision noun
  • unprovisioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of provision

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin prōvīsiōn- (stem of prōvīsiō ) “a foreseeing,” equivalent to prōvīs(us) (past participle of prōvidēre “to foresee, look after, provide”) + -iōn- suffix; provide, -ion

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 provision is intended to prevent any government official from being “in the pocket of a foreign government,” said Kathleen Clark, a law professor and former ethics lawyer for the city of Washington, D.C.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 1997 law that funded the team’s stadium came with a provision that stated if the team were sold within a certain period, the state of Washington would receive 10%.

From The Wall Street Journal

Graham had objected to provisions in the DHS stopgap and to House-passed language repealing an earlier measure that allowed senators to sue the Justice Department if their phone records were seized during past investigations.

From Barron's

“I’m all for accountability. I mean, I had my phone tapped, so I’m all for accountability, don’t get me wrong,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Wednesday after the House repealed the provision.

From Salon

A 10% cap would force lenders to cease providing credit cards to higher-risk borrowers and to tighten other provisions, harming those who rely on credit to smooth their consumption.

From Barron's