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

Example Sentences

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 Ahh, yes, sweet providence. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2022 Garcia calls it an act of providence. Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2023 But DeTiger didn’t need the algorithm’s divine providence. Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2022 Why agree to being an accomplice to the whims of a nonsensical providence? Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2023 McWilliams, who made what seemed like his 100th all-name team this offseason, alluded to providence for the defensive line this season but was mum on exactly what to expect when the Blazers open the season against Alabama A&M at Protective Stadium. Evan Dudley, al, 5 Aug. 2022 So it’s an accident—maybe an accident caused by providence. Dennis Lim, The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 Directing the classic Russian play, which deals with the loss of one’s home and motherland, is another bit of providence. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022 Nevertheless, the fleeting encounter of the emperor and the philosopher was the stuff of providence—as if the arc of history had intersected with the designs of history’s philosopher-architect. Jeffrey Collins, WSJ, 18 Mar. 2022 See More

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 28 May. 2023.

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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