provisional

adjective pro·vi·sion·al \ prə-ˈvizh-nəl , -ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Examples: provisional in a Sentence

Definition of provisional

: serving for the time being : temporary

a provisional government

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provisionally

adverb

See provisional defined for English-language learners

See provisional defined for kids

Examples of provisional in a Sentence

The government has given provisional approval for the use of the new drug.
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected

Recent Examples of provisional from the Web

When Mason showed up to vote last November, her name wasn't on the voter roll, so she was asked to fill out and sign a provisional ballot.

— CBS News, "Texas woman sentenced five years in prison for voting while on probation," 15 June 2018
The election, held June 5, was so tight that the San Francisco Department of Elections had to count nearly 14,000 provisional ballots this week, according to CNN.

— anne branigin, The Root, "It’s Official: London Breed 1st Black Woman Elected Mayor of San Francisco," 14 June 2018
The San Diego County Registrar’s Office is still counting provisional ballots, so the election’s results aren’t official yet.

— gustavo solis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chula Vista will struggle to hire more cops despite sales tax increase," 13 June 2018
With the results neck-and-neck, the San Francisco Department of Elections began counting nearly 14,000 provisional ballots this week.

— darran simon, CNN, "London Breed will become first black woman to lead San Francisco after opponent concedes," 13 June 2018
Late-arriving and provisional ballots are not reflected in these tallies.

— jon schleuss, www.latimes.com, "How did San Diego County vote?," 10 June 2018
The two are separated by just 18 votes and provisional ballots will be counted on Monday, and there is no Republican challenger in the general election.

— josh magness, miamiherald, "'She has no clue': NJ mayor blasts his mom for racist Facebook rant about Koreans," 8 June 2018
However, the county registrar-recorder's office said workers were instructed to offer provisional ballots to every voter whose name didn't appear on a list for the primary.

— kathleen joyce, Fox News, "Henry Winkler says he was among 118,000 voters 'left off' Los Angeles County rosters," 7 June 2018
These include ballots sent in by mail as well as thousands of provisional ballots that were cast on Election Day.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "San Francisco Still Doesn't Know Who Its New Mayor Is. But Whoever Wins Will Make History," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provisional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of provisional

1601

in the meaning defined above

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provisional Synonyms

provisional

noun

Definition of provisional

: a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears — compare definitive

Recent Examples of provisional from the Web

Welcomed were 2018 spring provisionals Jennifer Bankston, Maggie Bopp, Megan Butler, Lauren Duncan, Jillian Gutierrez, Misty Jenkins, Danielle Looper and Amanda Toombs-Couvillon.

— elizabeth moore, NOLA.com, "North Shore Notables: Junior League of Covington honors members, introduces new board," 27 May 2018
Concordia's list of NCAA Division II provisional qualifiers grows.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "Might the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials return to Hayward Field after all? Oregon track & field rundown," 9 Apr. 2018
Provisionals are immersed into their chapter’s projects, fundraising initiatives, and the community as a whole.

— Southern Living, "Secrets of the Southern Junior Leagues," 1 May 2017

First Known Use of provisional

1886

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PROVISIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

provisional

adjective

Definition of provisional for English Language Learners

: existing or accepted for the present time but likely to be changed

Law Dictionary

provisional

adjective pro·vi·sion·al \ prə-ˈvi-zhə-nəl \

legal Definition of provisional

1 : provided for a temporary need : suitable or acceptable in the existing situation but subject to change or nullification

a provisional government

provisional custody of a minor

2 : of, relating to, or being temporary judicial acts or proceedings (as of attachment, injunction, or sequestration) allowed before final judgment to protect the interests of one or more parties to an action