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

The votes aren’t the determining factor in whether a faculty member receives tenure and promotion; typically the provost makes the final recommendation to the university’s president and board of regents. —Bykatie Langin, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024

For instance, Kevin Reed, the associate provost for climate and sustainability programming at Stony Brook University in New York, looked at the impact of climate change on Hurricane Ian, which hit Southwest Florida in 2022. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 15 June 2024

Only mentioned and not seen so far in the series, her sister is a Yale provost and will appear late in this season. —Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

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

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)