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

However, Matthew Rascoff, the vice provost for digital education at Stanford, said that AI companies need to develop more technology that fosters learning as a social exercise, rather than the current model in which AI tools tend to help one person at a time. —Nic F. Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025

Microsoft and Google may win on distribution, OpenAI on versatility, but Anthropic is betting that governance and trust are what will ultimately sway provosts and presidents. —Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Since May 5, Barajas has reached out the university’s provost, Erika Cameron, according to email exchanges sent to The Bee from Barajas. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Prior, Bradley was the executive vice president and university provost. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 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)