providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s 

-ˌden(t)s

1

a

often Providence : divine guidance or care

… a sincere belief in providence, in which their religious faith often plays a major role.

—Christine Emba

It implied that God acts freely and purposefully and that he exercises his providence over individuals.

—Philip J. Davis

b

Providence : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

put his faith in divine Providence

2

: the quality or state of being provident

Synonyms of providence

• saving
• economy
• thrift
• frugality

Examples of providence in a Sentence

practicing its customary providence, the snowbound family was able to make the meager stores last until help arrived

had the providence to lay in supplies before the storm hit

Recent Examples on the Web

There is special providence in building a family band. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

The Aeneid has a special relevance for the United States, a country founded by immigrants who fled from earlier homelands, often believing that divine providence justified their claim on a land already inhabited by many distinct groups of indigenous peoples. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Does providence foreordain or do characters have a say? —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025

Turning one’s career over to providence? —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin providentia, from provident-, providens

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for providence

• improvidence

Kids Definition

providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈpräv-əd-ən(t)s 

-ə-ˌden(t)s

1

a

often capitalized : divine guidance or care

b

capitalized : God as the guide and protector of all human beings

2

: the quality or state of being provident : prudence

Geographical Definition

Providence

geographical name

Prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s 

-ˌden(t)s

city in northern Rhode Island that is the state capital and a port at the head of the Providence River (a northern arm of Narragansett Bay) population 178,042