What does "provost" mean?
One placed in charge: a head, a chief; A dean: the head of a cathedral chapter.
Provost
/pɹəʊˈvəʊ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One placed in charge: a head, a chief; A dean: the head of a cathedral chapter.
- Grammar: provost is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: academic administrator, academic dean, administration, administrator.
- Useful contrasts: nonadministrator, nonofficial, private citizen.
- Usage evidence: Tom is the provost of Harvard University.
How to use "provost"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "provost" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "provost" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "provost" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "provost" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "provost" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "academic administrator" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "provost", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; A dean: the head of a cathedral chapter. historical
- 2 a high-ranking university administrator wordnet
- 3 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; The head of various other ecclesiastical bodies, even (rare, obsolete) muezzins.
- 4 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; The minister of the chief Protestant church of a town or region in Germany, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia.
- 5 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; The head of various colleges and universities. UK
Show 15 more definitions
- 6 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; A ruler. obsolete
- 7 One placed in charge: a head, a chief; A mayor: the chief magistrate of a town, particularly (Scotland) the head of a burgh or (historical) the former chiefs of various towns in France, Flanders, or (by extension) other Continental European countries.
"The repairs were completed in the summer of last year, more than ten months after the line had been closed, and the branch was re-opened on June 29, when Mr. T. F. Cameron, Chief Regional Officer, Scottish Region, received Provost J. S. Collin, of Eyemouth, at the station. The 12.42. p.m. train to Burnmouth was signalled out of the station by the Provost, after he had been introduced to the crew."
- 8 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A prior: an abbot's second-in-command. historical
- 9 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A senior deputy administrator; a vice-president of academic affairs. US
"The provost of the University of Massachusetts has reversed a decision by faculty personnel committees not to renew the contracts of two professors engaged in sex research."
- 10 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A steward or seneschal: a medieval agent given management of a feudal estate or charged with collecting fees. historical
- 11 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A title of the archangel Michael. obsolete, sometimes
- 12 A senior deputy, a superintendent; Any manager or overseer in a medieval or early modern context. historical
- 13 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A viceroy. obsolete
- 14 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A governor. obsolete
- 15 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A reeve. obsolete
- 16 A senior deputy, a superintendent; The head of various Roman offices, such as prefect and praetor. obsolete
- 17 A senior deputy, a superintendent; A constable: a medieval or early modern official charged with arresting, holding, and punishing criminals. historical
"Here comes Signor Claudio, led by the provost to prison;"
- 18 A senior deputy, a superintendent; An officer of the military police, particularly provost marshal or provost sergeant.
- 19 A senior deputy, a superintendent; An assistant fencing master. historical
- 20 A provost cell: a military cell or prison. UK, obsolete, slang
Verb
- 1 To be delivered to a provost marshal for punishment. UK, obsolete, slang, transitive
"Around the time of the Rebellions of 1837 and the First Anglo-Afghan War, British servicemen spoke of being provosted."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname originating as an occupation for a provost.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Tom is the provost of Harvard University."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "provost"?
Common synonyms include: academic administrator, academic dean, administration, administrator, archon, chancellor.
How do you use "provost" in a sentence?
Tom is the provost of Harvard University.
How do you pronounce "provost"?
Pronounced /pɹəʊˈvəʊ/.
Etymology
From Middle English, from late Old English prōfost, prāfost, from Late Latin prōpositus, variant of Latin praepositus (“[one] placed in command”). In some senses, via Anglo-Norman provolt; via Anglo-Norman and Old French provost (modern French prévôt). As a Central European ecclesiastical office, via German Propst, Danish provst, etc.