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

Weiss is currently Homewood Professor of the Humanities and senior advisor to the provost for the Arts at Johns Hopkins University. —News Desk, Artforum, 21 Nov. 2025

Sally Thompson-Iritani, an assistant vice provost at the University of Washington, has worked in animal research for more than 30 years. —Melanie D.g. Kaplan, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

The next level is to the vice chancellor and provost, and the final level of appeals goes to the chancellor. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025

The provost came but didn't speak to me. —Esme Nicholson, NPR, 4 Nov. 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)