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 trio shared a laugh over an umbrella mishap before cameras caught them making their way across the quad to greet Simon Henderson, the headmaster of the school, and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the provost of Eton. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

The family crossed the historic institution’s School Yard, a cobblestoned quad with a statue of King Henry VI, who founded the school in 1440, at its center before being met by the school’s principal Simon Henderson and provost Nicholas Coleridge. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Rao and Vasu Unnava, both professors at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, were staying in a hotel in Timure, Nepal, when the flash floods occurred, according to a message from the university’s chancellor and provost. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Hinton became a professor and chairman of the early childhood and special education department at UC before becoming vice provost of minority affairs. — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Sep. 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)