pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvizh-nəl 
-ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
: serving for the time being : temporary
a provisional government
provisionally
adverb
: a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears compare definitive
Synonyms
Examples of provisional in a Sentence
Adjective
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 on the Web
Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2023
One of the requests echoed a demand made by some immigration advocates: The government should treat a work permit application as a provisional authorization.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The videos featured the artist manipulating bits of collage into place, although everything is provisional, nothing permanently fixed.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
He was commissioned as a provisional elder in June 2012 by the Alabama-West Florida conference.
—Greg Garrison | , al, 8 Sep. 2023
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its provisional estimates for suicide deaths in the country last year and found that suicide deaths increased for a second year in a row to an estimated 49,449 deaths.
—Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023
The companies listed all appeared on a provisional list released in early July, and mostly consist of American tech giants.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 6 Sep. 2023
Cars are more expensive, insurance rates have skyrocketed, and the onerous permit and provisional licensing process that requires hours of parental supervision made a license much harder to get than those 15 minutes with a pencil test and drive around the block.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2023
Germany only just emerged from a recession in the April-to-June period as gross domestic product (GDP) was flat compared with the previous quarter, but the latest provisional data suggests the slight improvement in the economy’s fortunes may not last.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN, 7 Aug. 2023
Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Instead, the board of elections will determine which outstanding provisional and absentee ballots are valid at the Sept. 27 board meeting, Perlatti said.
—cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Correll read the official election results, which have been certified following Election Day Nov. 5 and the Nov. 7 canvass of absentee and provisional ballots; 1,782 ballots were cast, including 10 absentee and 12 provisionals.
—David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2019
His provisional sailed left, too, into the deep rough.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2019
Election Day in this year’s statewide Democratic and Republican primary election was June 26, followed by an absentee ballot canvass June 28, a provisional ballot canvass Thursday and the final count of absentee and provisionals Friday.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
The Board of Elections, sitting as the Board of Canvassers, accepted 313, including 274 absentees and 39 provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
There’s going to be a paper recount of all the votes from early voting, election day, absentees and provisionals.
—Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 10 July 2018
McComas picked up five more votes in the Republican race for District 34B, while Tilley earned six provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 5 July 2018
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Adjective
If your period tends to be irregular, pack provisional hygiene products to soothe anxieties and avoid panics about potential early menstruation.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2023
One of the requests echoed a demand made by some immigration advocates: The government should treat a work permit application as a provisional authorization.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The videos featured the artist manipulating bits of collage into place, although everything is provisional, nothing permanently fixed.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
He was commissioned as a provisional elder in June 2012 by the Alabama-West Florida conference.
—Greg Garrison | , al, 8 Sep. 2023
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its provisional estimates for suicide deaths in the country last year and found that suicide deaths increased for a second year in a row to an estimated 49,449 deaths.
—Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023
The companies listed all appeared on a provisional list released in early July, and mostly consist of American tech giants.
—Jon Porter, The Verge, 6 Sep. 2023
Cars are more expensive, insurance rates have skyrocketed, and the onerous permit and provisional licensing process that requires hours of parental supervision made a license much harder to get than those 15 minutes with a pencil test and drive around the block.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2023
Germany only just emerged from a recession in the April-to-June period as gross domestic product (GDP) was flat compared with the previous quarter, but the latest provisional data suggests the slight improvement in the economy’s fortunes may not last.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN, 7 Aug. 2023
Noun
The 2022 turnout rate will rise only slightly with an official canvass, which will include all valid provisional and absentee ballots that were postmarked by the day before the election and received by the statutory deadline.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Instead, the board of elections will determine which outstanding provisional and absentee ballots are valid at the Sept. 27 board meeting, Perlatti said.
—cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Correll read the official election results, which have been certified following Election Day Nov. 5 and the Nov. 7 canvass of absentee and provisional ballots; 1,782 ballots were cast, including 10 absentee and 12 provisionals.
—David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2019
His provisional sailed left, too, into the deep rough.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2019
Election Day in this year’s statewide Democratic and Republican primary election was June 26, followed by an absentee ballot canvass June 28, a provisional ballot canvass Thursday and the final count of absentee and provisionals Friday.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
The Board of Elections, sitting as the Board of Canvassers, accepted 313, including 274 absentees and 39 provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
There’s going to be a paper recount of all the votes from early voting, election day, absentees and provisionals.
—Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 10 July 2018
McComas picked up five more votes in the Republican race for District 34B, while Tilley earned six provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 5 July 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provisional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing provisional
Dictionary Entries Near provisional
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provisional. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
provisional
adjective
pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvizh-nəl,
-ən-ᵊl
: serving for the time being
a provisional government
provisional arrangements
provisionally
adverb
-ē
Legal Definition
provisional
adjective
pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvi-zhə-nəl
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
a provisional remedy
provisionally
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on provisional
Nglish: Translation of provisional for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of provisional for Arabic Speakers
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