proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-(ˌ)zō 
plural provisos also provisoes
1
: an article or clause (as in a contract) that introduces a condition
2
: a conditional stipulation
Examples of proviso in a Sentence
He accepted the job with one proviso: he would work alone.
released the drunken revelers with the proviso that they behave for the remainder of the Mardi Gras
Recent Examples on the Web
The deal struck between Baltimore County Public Schools and the Teachers Association of Baltimore County included a proviso giving teachers the day before Thanksgiving as a half remote professional development day and half mental health day, effectively giving them a half-day off.
—
Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2025
If implemented, escalating the home rule sales tax from .75% to 1% will generate about $6.57 million in new money but comes with the proviso that the increase be removed in two years.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
The swing-off was a new proviso in the current collective bargaining agreement, agreed to after the league locked the players out for 99 days during the ’21-22 offseason.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
In 1970, when a nearly unanimous Congress approved sweeping changes strengthening federal air pollution laws, one proviso allowed California in many cases to craft its own rules — a recognition of the challenge the Golden State faced in dealing with the nation’s worst smog problem.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proviso
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Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2025
If implemented, escalating the home rule sales tax from .75% to 1% will generate about $6.57 million in new money but comes with the proviso that the increase be removed in two years.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
The swing-off was a new proviso in the current collective bargaining agreement, agreed to after the league locked the players out for 99 days during the ’21-22 offseason.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
In 1970, when a nearly unanimous Congress approved sweeping changes strengthening federal air pollution laws, one proviso allowed California in many cases to craft its own rules — a recognition of the challenge the Golden State faced in dealing with the nation’s worst smog problem.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for proviso
Cite this Entry
“Proviso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proviso. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-zō
plural provisos or provisoes
1
: a sentence or clause in a legal document in which a condition is stated
2
: a limiting statement
released them with the proviso that they behave
Legal Definition
proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-zō
plural provisos or provisoes
1
: an article or clause (as in a statute or contract) that introduces a condition
2
: a conditional stipulation
Etymology
Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that
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