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

Online education was conceived as a free good, said Peter Bol, a Harvard professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations and a former vice provost responsible for online learning. —Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2025

Instead of putting a Middle Eastern Studies department under receivership, a step that would remove its independence, a new vice provost would review the department’s work, along with that of other departments. —New York Times, 25 July 2025

Fuchs was a provost at Cornell University, and was appointed by former President Barack Obama to serve on the National Science Board. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025

Odell, a first time candidate who is an economics professor and associate provost at Dominican University, led the field Tuesday night with 8,382 votes with all 39 precincts reporting. —Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 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)