proviso

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noun pro·vi·so \ prə-ˈvī-(ˌ)zō \

Definition of proviso

plural provisos also provisoes

1 :an article or clause (as in a contract) that introduces a condition

2 :a conditional stipulation

See proviso defined for English-language learners

See proviso defined for kids

Examples of proviso in a Sentence

He accepted the job with one proviso: he would work alone.
released the drunken revelers with the proviso that they behave for the remainder of the Mardi Gras

Recent Examples of proviso from the Web

The chronically late dinner guest can be invited once more on the proviso that the start time of the evening is honored.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "7 Signs You're Dealing With a Passive-Aggressive Person," 30 Aug. 2017
A year earlier, Lewis had donated his print of the film, along with the rest of his filmography, to the Library of Congress—with the proviso that The Day the Clown Cried not be screened until at least 2024.

— bruce handy, vanityfair.com, "The French Film Critic Who Saw Jerry Lewis’s Infamous Holocaust Movie—and Loved It," 21 Aug. 2017
A year earlier, Lewis had donated his print of the film, along with the rest of his filmography, to the Library of Congress—with the proviso that The Day the Clown Cried not be screened until at least 2024.

— bruce handy, HWD, "The French Film Critic Who Saw Jerry Lewis’s Infamous Holocaust Movie—and Loved It," 21 Aug. 2017
It was explicitly marketed to prospective buyers overseas as a second or third home, with the challenging proviso that owners could live in their apartments only 120 days a year, and never for more than 29 consecutive days in any 36-day period.

— craig unger, The Hive, "Why Robert Mueller Has Trump SoHo in His Sights," 13 Aug. 2017
According to a spokeswoman for Seattle Parks and Recreation, Epic Events obtained a permit to host the outdoor-movie series, which was in its seventh year, with the proviso that the manager provides security for the event.

— christine clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Seattle police after organizer cancels popular Magnuson Park movie nights: ‘The park is safe’," 25 July 2017
Before the 1992 season, Sanders added a proviso to his Falcons contract that allowed him to stay with the Braves as long as their season went on.

— ben baskin, The MMQB, "Deion Sanders: Professional Baseball Player," 14 July 2017
Doig immediately agreed, with the proviso that Walcott, who had only seen small reproductions of his paintings, which are often large, should see them in person.

— joshua jelly-schapiro, The New Yorker, "A Trinidadian Friendship: Derek Walcott and Peter Doig," 12 Jan. 2017
Yet the law has provisos that allow the president to decide whether, for the sake of American interests, the law should be enforced.

— frances robles, New York Times, "Pact on U.S.-Cuba Flights Reopens Battle for Seized Property," 16 Feb. 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of proviso

Middle English, from Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that

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First Known Use: 15th century

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proviso Synonyms

Synonyms

contingency, if, provision, condition, qualification, reservation, stipulation

Related Words

strings, terms; precondition, prerequisite, requirement, requisite; limitation, modification, restriction; exception, exemption; demand, essential, must, necessity, need

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

PROVISO Defined for English Language Learners

proviso

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noun

Definition of proviso for English Language Learners

: a condition that must be accepted in order for someone to agree to do something

Law Dictionary

proviso

play

noun pro·vi·so \ prə-ˈvī-zō \

legal Definition of proviso

plural provisos or provisoes

1 :an article or clause (as in a statute or contract) that introduces a condition

2 :a conditional stipulation

Origin and Etymology of proviso

Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proviso Spanish Central: Translation of proviso Nglish: Translation of proviso for Spanish speakers

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PROVISO Defined for English Language Learners

proviso

Definition of proviso for English Language Learners

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proviso

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Origin and Etymology of proviso

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