provision

Pluralprovisions

Formsprovisions, provisioning, provisioned

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A part of a law or contract that sets a rule about one particular thing.

   Like one rule written inside a longer list of rules.

   The contract has a provision that lets you cancel within thirty days.

   A new provision in the law protects part-time workers.

   Similarcondition, stipulation, proviso

   Note
2. 2
   nounusually plural

   A piece of food or other supply that you store for use later.

   The hikers hung their provision bag high in a tree to keep it away from bears.

   They loaded provisions onto the boat before the long trip.

   Similarsupply, store, stock

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   The act of giving people what they need, or getting ready ahead of time.

   Like getting everything ready before guests arrive.

   The provision of free meals helped many families.

   The town made provision for floods by building higher walls.

   Similarsupply, delivery, preparation, planning

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   Money that you keep ready for something that will happen later.

   Grandma left money in her will as a provision for the kids' college costs.

   The town saved a provision to pay for snow removal next winter.

   Similarreserve, fund, allowance

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To give a group the food and supplies they need.

   Like packing a bag with everything someone will need.

   The crew worked to provision the ship before sailing.

   They provisioned the camp with enough water for a week.

   Similarsupply, stock, equip, furnish

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To set up an account or system so someone can start using it.

   Like setting up a new phone with apps before you use it.

   The IT team will provision your laptop before your first day.

   They provisioned new accounts for all the interns.

   Similarconfigure, allocate

   Oppositedeprovision

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   Money a business sets aside now to cover a loss it expects later.

   Like saving money now because you know a bill is coming.

   The bank made a provision for loans that might not be repaid.

   Their provision for bad debts grew larger last year.

   Similarallowance, reserve

   Note
8. 8
   nounhistoricalBritishcountable

   Long ago, the pope's choice of a person for a church job before it became empty.

   Like a boss picking someone for a job before it even opens up.

   The pope's provision gave the post to a stranger, not the lord's choice.

   Many lords resented a provision that ignored their wishes.

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable

   The full process of placing a priest into a church post, step by step.

   Like all the steps needed to officially give someone a new job.

   His provision to the parish took several months to complete.

   The bishop oversaw the provision of the new rector.

   Note

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