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

In 2001, Texas Tech’s was moved out of athletics and under the domain of Student Life, the university unit within the office of the provost that also oversees student government, the Greek community, the chess team and the Air Force ROTC. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024

The policy applies to the system president and vice presidents, the university chancellors, provosts, vice chancellors, deans, directors, department chairs and anyone else who may be perceived as speaking on behalf of a system institution. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2024

As provost and executive vice president, Kirk helped launch The Right Call Initiative, a new tuition model announced last fall that reduces the sticker price of admission 40%. —Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Sep. 2024

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

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)