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.

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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

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verb

1. (tr) to supply with provisions

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; see origin at provide, -ion

Explanation

A provision is a store or supply of something, like food or clothing. This noun can also describe the planning you do for "when something happens." We often use this word when we talk about outdoor activities like hiking or camping, or when we talk about outfitting an army in the field, but it basically means "supply." And since provision comes from the Latin word that means to "attend to," you can pretty much guess what the verb form of this word describes: the act of supplying someone else with provisions. In a legal or contractual sense, a provision is a stipulated condition or proviso.

Example Sentences

Net charge-offs at Zions Bancorp fell to $4 million from $16 million, and the provision for credit losses dropped to negative $7 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

A "support person" can also join them at games or training camps, with a similar provision for players who would prefer their infant to remain at home.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

NiSource expanded its 15-year agreement with Amazon’s AWS, accelerating energy provision to Amazon data center sites.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Earnings per share grew to $5.94 from $5.07, above the FactSet consensus of $5.45, while provision for credit losses dropped 24.1% to $2.5 billion, well below expectations of $3 billion.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

As the familiar rumble-hum and whistle shook the trees, Thialfi climbed the giant’s provision bag.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• arrangement
• plan