provision

UK: /prəˈvɪʒ^ən/ US: /prəˈvɪʒən/ ,(prə vizh′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pro•vi•sion /prəˈvɪʒən/   n. 

1. the act of providing or supplying:
   [uncountable] the provision of running water and electricity to the region.
2. an arrangement or preparation made for the future:
   [uncountable] Didn't they make provision for the possibility that this spy would defect?
3. a clause or statement providing or calling for something;
   stipulation;
   proviso:
   [countable] a provision in the sales agreement allowing for return or exchange within one year.
4. provisions, [plural] supplies of food.

v. [~ + object]

5. to supply with provisions:
   They were well provisioned for the winter.

See -vis-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pro•vi•sion  (prə vizh′ən), n. 

1. a clause in a legal instrument, a law, etc., providing for a particular matter;
   stipulation;
   proviso.
2. the providing or supplying of something, esp. of food or other necessities.
3. arrangement or preparation beforehand, as for the doing of something, the meeting of needs, the supplying of means, etc.
4. something provided;
   a measure or other means for meeting a need.
5. a supply or stock of something provided.
6. provisions, supplies of food.
7. [Eccles.]
   • Religion an appointment to an ecclesiastical office.
   • Religion appointment by the pope to a see or benefice not yet vacant.

v.t. 

8. to supply with provisions.

• Latin prōvīsiōn- (stem of prōvīsiō) a foreseeing, equivalent. to prōvīs(us) (past participle of prōvidēre to provide) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English 1300–50

pro•vi′sion•er, n. 
pro•vi′sion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. condition.
• 2. catering, purveying.
• 6. store, provender, stock. See food. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

provision / prəˈvɪʒən/ noun

1. the act of supplying or providing food, etc
2. something that is supplied or provided
3. preparations made beforehand (esp in the phrase make provision for)
4. (plural) food and other necessities, esp for an expedition
5. a demand, condition, or stipulation formally incorporated in a document; proviso
6. the conferring of and induction into ecclesiastical offices

verb

1. (transitive) to supply with provisions

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin prōvīsiō a providing; see provide

proˈvisioner noun