: if
—used to say that one thing must happen or be true in order for another thing to happen
We can have a picnic tomorrow, providing [=as long as] it doesn't rain.
Providing we have the money, we'll travel to Europe.
Cite this Entry
“Providing.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/providing. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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