provost

noun

pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst 

ˈprä-vəst,

ˈprō-vəst,

 especially before another noun  ˌprō-(ˌ)vō

1

: the chief dignitary of a collegiate or cathedral chapter

2

: the chief magistrate of a Scottish burgh

3

: the keeper of a prison

4

: a high-ranking university administrative officer

Examples of provost in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Burch’s boss will be a previous vice provost for research, Floyd L. Wormley Jr., who became provost in 2024. —Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2025

San Jose State provost Vin Del Casino spoke at the event about the partnership. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 17 May 2025

The demands included banning students from wearing masks at protests, hiring campus security officers who can arrest students, and appointing a new senior vice provost to oversee the department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 6 May 2025

The University of California will no longer require diversity statements in faculty hiring, provost Katherine Newman said Wednesday. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English profost & Anglo-French provost, from Medieval Latin propositus, alteration of praepositus, from Latin, one in charge, director, from past participle of praeponere to place at the head — more at preposition

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing provost

• provost court
• provost guard
• provost marshal

Kids Definition

provost

noun

pro·​vost ˈprō-ˌvōst 

ˈpräv-əst,

 before "marshal" often  ˌprō-vō

: a high managing officer (as in a university)