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

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

Before serving as president of the University of Alabama, Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas. —Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026

Fifteen faculty members made up the electrical and computer engineering department at the start of the year, but many have already departed, said Corinne Lengsfeld, senior vice provost for research and graduate studies and acting dean of the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Witnesses to the raid maintained that the protest was lawful and accused Martin Berger, SAIC’s provost, of reneging on a promise to allow student leaders to reach an internal compromise before involving police. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 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)