proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-(ˌ)zō 
plural provisos also provisoes
1
: an article or clause (as in a contract) that introduces a condition
2
: a conditional stipulation
Examples of proviso in a Sentence
He accepted the job with one proviso: he would work alone.
released the drunken revelers with the proviso that they behave for the remainder of the Mardi Gras
Recent Examples on the Web
The state of Nevada has earmarked $380 million in public money with the proviso that Fisher has to spend $100 million out of his pocket first, Hill said.
—
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Graham, a long-standing ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine should include the proviso that, should Russia invade Ukraine again in future, Ukraine would be granted automatic and immediate membership of the NATO military alliance.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025
Grammy rules list many provisos including making a major impact, first recording that established the artist’s public identity and so on.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
The Premier League’s financial regulations allow clubs to incur a financial loss of £105m over a three-year period, at an average of £35m per year, and on the proviso that £90m is covered by by secure funding from the owners.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for proviso
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Graham, a long-standing ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine should include the proviso that, should Russia invade Ukraine again in future, Ukraine would be granted automatic and immediate membership of the NATO military alliance.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025
Grammy rules list many provisos including making a major impact, first recording that established the artist’s public identity and so on.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
The Premier League’s financial regulations allow clubs to incur a financial loss of £105m over a three-year period, at an average of £35m per year, and on the proviso that £90m is covered by by secure funding from the owners.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for proviso
Cite this Entry
“Proviso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proviso. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-zō
plural provisos or provisoes
1
: a sentence or clause in a legal document in which a condition is stated
2
: a limiting statement
released them with the proviso that they behave
Legal Definition
proviso
noun
pro·vi·so
prə-ˈvī-zō
plural provisos or provisoes
1
: an article or clause (as in a statute or contract) that introduces a condition
2
: a conditional stipulation
Etymology
Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share