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

In the letter, Levine raised concerns over language in Interim President Donald Landry’s employment agreement that grants Hosseini authority over hiring and compensation decisions affecting a wide range of university personnel, from the provost to lower-level administrative and academic employees. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

Maguire was appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs June 1, replacing Erika Cameron who had been in the role for only 15 months. —Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026

Also named in the indictment were Jonathan Hongru Zou, 22, and Alexander Sepulveda, 23, who were accused of throwing two glass jars filled with an unknown blue substance through the window of the home of the university’s provost, Laurie McCauley. —James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026

During that incident, federal authorities said, two glass jars filled with a blue substance and food compost were thrown through the window at the provost's home. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 June 2026

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)