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

Presently, Jackson is provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State where he’s served since 2019. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

The other two finalists were Michael Hartline, a business dean at Florida State University and a finalist from the previous search; and John Volin, an executive vice president and provost at the University of Maine. —Abigail Hasebroock, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2025

The other two finalists in the presidential search are Michael Hartline, the dean of the College of Business at Florida State University, and John Volin, executive vice president and provost at the University of Maine. —Jessica Abramsky, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025

Alan Garber, the university’s longtime provost, took her place. —Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 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)