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.
But there’s a deeper problem, by Dartmouth provost Santiago Schnell, as 100% AI-written. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 According to Coin, James Spencer went on to become a commander in the Navy and a dean and provost at Cornell University. — Katie Howe, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 In 1995, Cárdenas left the University of Texas to join his alma mater, Notre Dame, as a professor, assistant provost and as the founding director of its Institute for Latino Studies. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Her mother, Lakshmi, is a molecular biologist who serves as a provost at UC San Diego. — Kate Andersen Brower, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing provost

Browse Nearby Words

provolone
provost
provost court
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Cite this Entry

“Provost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provost. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about provost

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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