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)

provisions, present (3rd person singular) provisioned, past participle, past provisioning present participle

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

Synonym Usage

See food.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have provisioned
  perfect
• has provisioned
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been provisioning
  perfect progressive
• has been provisioning
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• provisions
  singular 3rd person
• am provisioning
  progressive 1st person singular
• provisioning
  participle
• are provisioning
  progressive
• is provisioning
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had provisioned
  perfect
• had been provisioning
  perfect progressive
• were provisioning
  progressive plural
• was provisioning
  progressive singular
• provisioned
  simple
• provisioned
  participle

Future

• will provision
  simple
• will have provisioned
  perfect
• will have been provisioning
  perfect progressive
• will be provisioning
  progressive

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

The settlement provision involving the IRS stood, Blanche noted at a congressional hearing.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

They invoked a provision of the Clean Water Act that authorizes states to require additional permits on a case-by-case basis.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The legislation would allow people in these fields to keep their home address secret, a provision resulting from harassment and death threats many have received for offering perfectly legal services to immigrants.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

Several bills have been proposed that include the provision, but they haven’t gained traction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

We decided, therefore, in our preparations for the future, to make provision for the possibility of guerrilla warfare.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• arrangement
• plan