provost

noun

pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst 

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

According to Sengthay, things turned tense as students grilled Bernadette Meyler, the provost’s free-speech adviser. —Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Also, there are academic department consolidations under discussion with deans and faculty, the provost wrote. —Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

John Zumbrunnen, 55, was named the provost on March 9, two months before UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin departs to become the next president of Columbia University. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 9 Mar. 2026

In a year, the school had a new chancellor, president and provost. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing provost

• provost court
• provost guard
• provost marshal

Kids Definition

provost

noun

pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst 

ˈpräv-əst

before "marshal" often ˌprō-vō

: a high managing officer (as in a university)