provost

noun

pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst How to pronounce provost (audio)
ˈprä-vəst,
ˈprō-vəst,
 especially before another noun  ˌprō-(ˌ)vō
1
: the chief dignitary of a collegiate or cathedral chapter
2
: the chief magistrate of a Scottish burgh
3
: the keeper of a prison
4
: a high-ranking university administrative officer

Examples of provost in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Volin currently serves as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Maine; his appointment at Gustavus begins Aug. 15. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025 In an April 14 court filing, the university’s vice provost for research, Mari Ostendorf, said the campus mood had dimmed. Evan Bush, NBC news, 8 May 2025 In December, Charleston said a former provost directed him to spend a $6 million surplus. Landon Mion, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025 This was the foundation to which provosts and presidents added over the course of the 20th century, making Tulsa a major literary repository. Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for provost

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English profost & Anglo-French provost, from Medieval Latin propositus, alteration of praepositus, from Latin, one in charge, director, from past participle of praeponere to place at the head — more at preposition

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of provost was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Provost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provost. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

provost

noun
pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst How to pronounce provost (audio)
ˈpräv-əst,
 before "marshal" often  ˌprō-vō
: a high managing officer (as in a university)

More from Merriam-Webster on provost

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