Provision Meaning
/pɹəˈvɪʒ.ən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn item of goods or supplies, especially food, obtained for future use.
nounThe act of providing, or making previous preparation.
Sentence Examples
Fortunately, the law had anticipated and made a provision for that case.
There was a provision in his will for his mistress.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal document contained a special ____ to protect both parties' interests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The contract included a ____ allowing either party to terminate with thirty days' notice.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English provisioun, from Old French provisïon, from Latin prōvīsiō (“preparation, foresight”), from prōvidēre (“provide”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[H]e hath preſerued all points of Humanity, in taking Order, and making Proviſion for the Releefe of Strangers diſtreſſed; whereof you have taſted."
— 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 17:
"[Noah] Began to build a Veſſel of huge bulk, / Meaſur'd by Cubit, length, and breadth, and highth, / Smeared round with Pitch, and in the ſide a dore, / Contriv'd, and of proviſions laid in large / For Man and Beaſt: [...]"
— 1674, John Milton, “Book XI”, in Paradise Lost. […], 2nd edition, London: […] S[amuel] Simmons […], →OCLC, page 307:
"We have an infirm ſhip's company, and but five months proviſion, which muſt ſerve us to China unleſs we get a ſupply at Guam."
— 1728 [1721 March 17], William Betagh, A Voyage Round the World. Being an Account of a Remarkable Enterprize, Begun In the Year 1719, chiefly to cruiſe on the Spaniards in the great South Ocean. Relating the True hiſtorical Facts of that whole Affair: Teſtifyd by many imployd therein; and confirmd by Authorities from the Owners., London: T. Combes, →OCLC, page 151:
"Fiue dayes we do allot thee for prouision,
To shield thee from disasters of the world,"
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"And as congressional Republicans were passing a very unpopular Trump agenda bill last month, Vice President JD Vance argued that its historic expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and new immigration enforcement provisions were so important that “everything else” was “immaterial.”"
— 2025 July 13, Aaron Blake, “Trump’s mass deportation is backfiring”, in CNN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The legal document contained a special ____ to protect both parties' interests.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The contract included a ____ allowing either party to terminate with thirty days' notice.