providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s 

-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

Synonyms

• economy
• frugality
• husbandry
• parsimony
• penny-pinching
• scrimping
• skimping
• thrift

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

There is a way forward, however, that was recently proposed by the theologian Matt Jantzen in his study on the doctrine of providence (i.e., how Christians think about God’s relationship to history). —B.g. White, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025

Everything is either a complete accident or divine providence, the movie suggests. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025

The attorney general did not respond to the Statesman's questions about the providence and nature of the evidence. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Oct. 2024

Jiangxi and Shandong providences reported refinancing RMB 55.1 billion and RMB 12.9 billion worth of hidden debt, respectively. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

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

Rhymes for providence

• improvidence

Kids Definition

providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈpräv-əd-ən(t)s 

-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 

-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