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

Meharry's provost, Dr. Jeannette E. South-Paul told The Tennessean last month that the hospital owes the college $7 million and isn't allowing its staff to fill enough leadership roles at the teaching hospital. —Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The board appointed Bradley, the former executive vice president and university provost, without conducting a national search. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

The university’s research projects touch Washington’s seafood industry, aerospace manufacturing and the military, said Mari Ostendorf, the university’s vice provost for engineering. —Andrea Fuller, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Now University presidents like IU’s Pamela Whitten, Purdue president Mung Chiang and Purdue provost Patrick Wolfe say that Jenner took their concerns seriously and, through collaboration, created a final product that satisfies everyone. —Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 3 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)