provost

noun pro·vost \ ˈprō-ˌvōst , ˈprä-vəst , ˈprō-vəst , especially before another noun ˌprō-(ˌ)vō \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Definition of provost

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

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Recent Examples of provost from the Web

The upcoming budget cuts at the University of Kansas will prevent the school from facing a deficit of about $87 million by fiscal year 2023, interim provost Carl Lejuez said on June 6.

— tess vrbin, kansascity, "Staff layoffs, tuition hikes: Faculty airs concerns over KU's budget cuts," 17 June 2018
On Tuesday, the Georgia Board of Regents announced University of Georgia provost Pamela Whitten is the sole candidate to become the university’s next president.

— eric stirgus, ajc, "Kennesaw State hires new police chief," 6 June 2018
Similar complaints were raised against Strampel in later reviews, which were done by then provost Kim Wilcox and current provost June Youatt.

— david jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Ex-MSU president saw William Strampel as 'boorish,' not a sex predator," 3 June 2018
Two years later, Nikias was made provost, and in 2010, the Board of Trustees named him as Sample's successor and the university's 11th president.

— thomas curwen, latimes.com, "Nikias' tenure as USC president was marked by growth and scandal," 26 May 2018
When Hitt announced his retirement last year, the school quickly launched a national search for its next leader, and ultimately decided to hire Whittaker, who has been in the No. 2 leadership role of provost since 2014.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF's Hitt plans retirement move to Wisconsin," 5 Apr. 2018
University presidents typically want to be part of the process of selecting new provosts and other major members of their team, Karman said.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "New U of L president's first challenges: Fill vacant, high-level jobs," 2 July 2018
The university is already set to use up its central funds for incoming fiscal year 2019, according to the data provided at the town hall and on the provost’s website.

— tess vrbin, kansascity, "Staff layoffs, tuition hikes: Faculty airs concerns over KU's budget cuts," 17 June 2018
Lisa Armistead, the university’s associate provost for graduate programs, said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon.

— eric stirgus, ajc, "Georgia State University apologizes for grad school admissions notice mistake," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provost.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of provost

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year