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

Jim Carlson, the interim provost and vice president for interprofessional education and simulation, said Rosalind Franklin offers all of those and more. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

In 2022, Rasberry took on an additional position at Stanford as associate vice provost for graduate education, according to his LinkedIn. — Jenny Haward, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

The university says that Glover, in his position as executive advisor, will work with the gamut of university leadership, including the president, provost and college deans. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

The family crossed the historic institution’s School Yard, a cobblestoned quad with a statue of King Henry VI, who founded the school in 1440, at its center before being met by the school’s principal Simon Henderson and provost Nicholas Coleridge. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 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)