proviso

American  

[pruh-vahy-zoh] / prəˈvaɪ zoʊ /

noun

• provisos,
  plural
• provisoes
  plural

1. a clause in a statute, contract, or the like, by which a condition is introduced.

2. a stipulation or condition.

   Synonyms:

   qualification, limitation, restriction

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proviso British  

/ prəˈvaɪzəʊ /

noun

1. a clause in a document or contract that embodies a condition or stipulation

2. a condition or stipulation

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• provisoes
  plural
• provisos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of proviso

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prōvīsō, for prōvīsō ( quod ) it being provided (that), ablative neuter singular of Latin prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre to provide

Explanation

A proviso is something added to a document or agreement that details the terms. You might agree to buy a used car with a proviso that the fuzzy steering-wheel cover is included as part of the sale. Proviso looks a lot like the words "provide" and "provision," and it goes back to the Latin verb providēre, "foresee, provide." Proviso often implies that there are conditions to getting something, as when you agree to take your younger brother to the movies with you, provided — with the proviso — that you get popcorn and an 82-ounce soft drink. Most parents would agree, with the proviso that the drink be no more than 20 ounces. Agreed?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

proviso provisoes provisos

Mr. McElwee signs off on the project, with the encouragement of Adrian—who has long thought his father should aim more for the mainstream—and the proviso that he be allowed to shoot a making-of film.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Abiy's economic reforms have received support from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, under the proviso the country liberalises its foreign currency exchange market and gets a handle on its debt.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

There’s an interesting proviso in the Allbirds–to–NewBird AI switchover that’s gotten much less public attention.

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2026

For the time being, he is committed to Wales until 2028, with the obvious proviso that things could change if a big club comes calling.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026

Though this proviso may sound far-fetched, Wagner’s admirers had indeed begun to see Bayreuth as a very special place, the holiest of holies, well before he embarked on Parsifal.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

The provisoes of the act virtually left the whole power of punishment still in the hands of the governor and council.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Charles Campbell

Provided!—Oh!" cried Vivian, laughing, "spare your musty provisoes, my dear philosopher!

From Tales and Novels — Volume 05 by Maria Edgeworth

We have in these few brief provisoes the sum total of everything that, in effect, constitutes the liberty of the subject.

From The Empire of the East by H. B. (Helen Barrett) Montgomery

The bill, however, was clogged with provisoes against the encroachments of prerogative.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Charles Campbell

Why was the crown entailed by so many provisoes, reserves, and limitations?

From A Seasonable Warning and Caution against the Insinuations of Papists and Jacobites in favour of the Pretender Being a Letter from an Englishman at the Court of Hanover by Daniel Defoe

Experts said such provisos still have the effect of muzzling a victim’s speech and hindering public accountability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025

Two novel provisos, however, combine to make the rule nearly toothless.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2023

Since then, they have created clauses for providing cover, including provisos that ships need to stay inside the corridor when transiting or risk invalidating their policies.

From Reuters ● Nov. 2, 2022

While this is undoubtedly cause for concern, there are some provisos.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2022

But to what purpose are any such laws and constitutions, if this vague principle is once admitted, which cancels and disannuls all such provisos and acts?

From Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive by The Reformed Presbytery