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 order to offer the minor, university administrators applied for a grant through its provost’s office which helped fund the exhibit and another one featuring Holocaust survivors who settled in Minnesota. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026

Ara Guzelimian, who was provost at Juilliard from 2007 to 2020 and previously senior director and artistic advisor at Carnegie Hall, will take over her post and return as the interim Richard Rodgers Dean and Director of the Drama Division. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

According to Sengthay, things turned tense as students grilled Bernadette Meyler, the provost’s free-speech adviser. —Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Also, there are academic department consolidations under discussion with deans and faculty, the provost wrote. —Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 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)