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

And why does ZooMass need not only provosts, but also vice provosts, associate vice provosts, assistant vice provosts and senior vice provosts? —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026

Astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana, currently Johns Hopkins provost, becomes Caltech’s next president on July 1. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026

While a growing flock of more than 280,000 Instagram followers appreciate posts showing the sisters' high jinks and capers — such as Sister Rita's boxing sessions — the provost's spokesperson, Harald Schiffl, is less enthusiastic. —Esme Nicholson, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025

That call, and the insight shared by Heath Einstein, the vice provost for enrollment management, sealed the deal for Power. —Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Dec. 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)