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

At Wyoming, where the student newspaper faced criticism for commentary on Kirk, the university responded by putting together a panel featuring faculty, students, the president and the provost to discuss free speech and civil discourse. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

The associate provost did not inform her appointing authority or the State Ethics Commission about her intention to hire a family member, the commission said. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

Cherie Dawson, vice provost for faculty affairs at the University of Louisville and a professor of criminal justice, served as the forum’s facilitator. —Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025

The research highlights how universities are deploying multi-unit governance structures—bringing together IT, teaching and learning teams, libraries, provost offices, and AI centers to collaboratively shape AI policies and system use. —Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 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)