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

The dean, who serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of the School of Law, reports directly to the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, according to UA. —Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2025

Carthage College faculty voted no-confidence in their president and provost. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025

The vice president has deep ties to San Diego through his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, who grew up in Rancho Peñasquitos and whose mother is a professor and provost at UC San Diego. —Lucas Robinson, Mercury News, 8 July 2025

Bradley, who was previously second-in-command as executive vice president and university provost at UofL, said his existing experience will help maintain stability and momentum. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

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)