provisional

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

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

Provisional tallies showed the ruling MPLA with 64 percent of the vote, the opposition UNITA with 24 percent and a smaller opposition group with 8 percent, a commission spokeswoman said.

— Washington Post, "World Digest: Aug. 24, 2017," 24 Aug. 2017
Anyone without such proof received a provisional ballot, but those were later discarded.

— roxana hegeman, The Seattle Times, "Uncounted Kansas ballots fuel fears about Kobach’s proposals," 22 Aug. 2017
The problems were significant enough that SWITC was issued a provisional license until Nov. 16, with a warning to correct problems by Sept. 2 or risk losing Medicaid payments.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Nampa police investigate ‘suspicious death’ at state-run treatment center," 21 Aug. 2017
From 1899 to 1902, U.S. troops battled Filipino nationalists on the predominantly Catholic northern and central islands, until the provisional government was finally captured and surrendered.

— jonathan m. katz, The Atlantic, "The Revealing Myth of Pershing and the Pigs' Blood," 18 Aug. 2017
With such a narrow margin of defeat, the district and levy supporters hung their hopes on the provisional ballots, counted about two weeks after election night.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Students to return to new and improved Bethel-Tate schools," 8 Aug. 2017
An adviser to the EU’s Court of Justice said provisional EU rules to relocate refugees from member states such as Greece and Italy, key entry points to the bloc, should also apply to Hungary and Slovakia.

— stephanie bodoni, Bloomberg.com, "Orban's Migration Policy Gets Slapped Down by EU Court Aide," 26 July 2017
In a statement, the governor’s office emphasized the provisional nature of the discussions to end public canings, noting that the decision required approval from Muslim scholars and Aceh’s legislature.

— jon emont, New York Times, "Indonesian Province May Move Canings Away From Public Eye," 14 July 2017
Liu and her team have a provisional patent on their assistive stairs, but marketing their invention will depend on interest.

— kyle frischkorn, Smithsonian, "New Assistive Stairs Put a Spring in Your Step," 13 July 2017

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

provisional Synonyms

Synonyms

ad interim, impermanent, interim, temporary, provisionary, provisory, short-term

Antonyms

long-term, permanent

Related Words

acting; alternate, proxy, substitute; expedient, improvised, makeshift; intermediary, intermediate, transitional; ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, short-lived, transitory; conditional, contingent, limited, qualified, short-range, tentative; replaceable, terminable, terminate

Near Antonyms

final, fixed, set, settled; unconditional, unlimited, unqualified; extended, lasting, long-range, standing; dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

provisional

noun

Definition of provisional

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

Recent Examples of provisional from the Web

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

PROVISIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

provisional

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adjective

Definition of provisional for English Language Learners

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

Law Dictionary

provisional

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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