provost

American  

[proh-vohst, prov-uhst, proh-voh] / ˈproʊ voʊst, ˈprɒv əst, ˈproʊ voʊ /

noun

1. a person appointed to superintend or preside.

2. an administrative officer in any of various colleges and universities who holds high rank and is concerned with the curriculum, faculty appointments, etc.

3. Ecclesiastical. the chief dignitary of a cathedral or collegiate church.

4. the steward or bailiff of a medieval manor or an officer of a medieval administrative district.

5. the mayor of a municipality in Scotland.

6. Obsolete. a prison warden.

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provost British  

/ ˈprɒvəst /

noun

1. an appointed person who superintends or presides

2. the head of certain university colleges or schools

3. (in Scotland) the chairman and civic head of certain district councils or (formerly) of a burgh council Compare convener

4. Church of England the senior dignitary of one of the more recent cathedral foundations

5. RC Church

   1. the head of a cathedral chapter in England and some other countries

   2. (formerly) the member of a monastic community second in authority under the abbot

6. (in medieval times) an overseer, steward, or bailiff in a manor

7. obsolete a prison warder

8. military a military policeman

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Other Word Forms

• provostship noun

Etymology

Origin of provost

before 900; Middle English; Old English profost < Medieval Latin prōpositus abbot, prior, provost, literally, (one) placed before, Latin: past participle of prōpōnere. See pro- ¹, posit

Explanation

A provost is an administrator at a college or university. The provost is very important to the school. If you go to a middle school or high school, you've probably never heard of a provost. That's because this is a type of high-ranking administrator at a college or university. The provost usually ranks higher than the deans (who head different departments) but not as high as the president of the school. The provost is involved with many important decisions for the school. This word originally referred to a religious leader, and it still carries a lot of authority.

Example Sentences

Michael Spence, UCL president and provost, said he recognised that the Covid pandemic had been "incredibly difficult for students" and the university's response was "responsible and robust".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Mr. Halpern is the senior adviser to the provost at Yeshiva University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Shawn Brick, UC’s associate vice provost for student financial aid, said in an interview that the change would not reduce UC’s focus on helping lower- and middle-income students.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

“There has been no statement from the provost office rebutting Harrison’s rhetoric.”

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025

“You are the wife of Kostas Vilkas, provost at the university?” asked a man in a suit sitting down from us.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys