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

Her academic leadership roles at the university have included those of interim associate dean, associate vice president for Student Success, and associate provost for Student Success, Equity and Innovation, the statement said. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Anupam Joshi is vice provost and chief AI officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the Oros Family professor of computer science and electrical engineering and director of the UMBC Center for Cybersecurity. — Jay A. Perman, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

The school does not report to a provost but directly to the university’s president, and has therefore been able to hire quickly. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Lloyd Duman, who has been the interim provost at the college for the last four years, sees this expansion as an opportunity for students to take more classes at the college. — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 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)