providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s How to pronounce providence (audio)
-ˌden(t)s
1
a
often capitalized : divine guidance or care
b
capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny
2
: the quality or state of being provident

Examples of providence in a Sentence

practicing its customary providence, the snowbound family was able to make the meager stores last until help arrived had the providence to lay in supplies before the storm hit
Recent Examples on the Web But followers said he’d been touched by divine providence. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024 God, in His providence, ordains some things to come to pass only because people pray for them. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2024 With her careful and caring novel, Nolan shows how misfortune can start with a few bad decisions and how culpability is entangled in providence and privilege. Chloe Schama, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2024 Some early settlers may have seen divine providence in the name. John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023 The long-lasting popularity of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ shows that in a secular age, readers still respond to Judeo-Christian teachings about morality, providence and power. Meir Soloveichik, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2023 Everyone has a cousin or a boyfriend’s sister or a friend of a friend who claims to have almost been in, say, the Twin Towers during 9/11, or having narrowly escaped the jaws of death through a twist of providence that saved them from certain doom. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2023 The film introduces the concept of in-yun, which can be interpreted as providence or fate. Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 8 June 2023 Ahh, yes, sweet providence. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'providence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin providentia, from provident-, providens

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of providence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near providence

provide for

providence

Providence

Cite this Entry

“Providence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/providence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

providence

noun
prov·​i·​dence ˈpräv-əd-ən(t)s How to pronounce providence (audio)
-ə-ˌden(t)s
1
a
often capitalized : divine guidance or care
b
capitalized : God as the guide and protector of all human beings
2
: the quality or state of being provident : prudence

Geographical Definition

Providence

geographical name

Prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s How to pronounce Providence (audio)
-ˌden(t)s
city in northern Rhode Island that is the state capital and a port at the head of the Providence River (a northern arm of Narragansett Bay) population 178,042

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