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

More offers to California applicants UC Davis has also stepped up outreach to transfer applicants, expanding its work with community colleges, said Malisa Lee, vice provost of enrollment management. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024

Here to talk about the current state of movie making is Henry Jenkins, provost professor of communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts, and Education at the University of Southern California. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 19 July 2024

Her father is an aerospace engineer and her mother is a provost at the University of California San Diego. —CBS News, 18 July 2024

Mince joined Carroll Community College in 2017 and has served in various leadership positions, including associate president, provost, vice president of academic and student affairs, and dean of the faculty. —Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024

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)