Provision

prəˈvɪʒən

nounmedium📊CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of supplying or making available something necessary or desirable; a stipulation or condition.

prəˈvɪʒən

nounneutralmedium
Action

The action of providing or supplying something.

The company made provisions for employee bonuses.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a camping trip! Making *provisions* means getting all the stuff you need: food, water, and a tent. It's like making sure you have everything covered.

👶 For kids: Getting ready for something! Like making sure you have food and water for a picnic.

More Examples

2

The contract includes a provision that protects the intellectual property.

3

We had to make provisions for the unexpected weather conditions.

How It's Used

Business

"The contract includes a provision for early termination."

Law

"The new law makes provisions for environmental protection."

General

"We made provisions for the unexpected guests."

2

To supply with food, drink, or other necessities; to make preparations for.

prəˈvɪʒən

verbneutralmedium
Action

To supply someone with something.

The ship was provisioned for a three-month voyage.

💡 Simply: Think of a restaurant! They *provision* their kitchen with food and ingredients so they can make meals. It's all about stocking up on the essentials!

👶 For kids: To give someone the things they need.

More Examples

2

The relief agency is provisioning the refugees with essential supplies.

3

The store provisions its shelves with fresh produce daily.

How It's Used

Logistics

"The army provided the troops with food and water."

Household

"They provisioned their yacht with supplies for the long voyage."

Tip:To *provide* or supply a *vision*.

Idioms & expressions

make provision for

To prepare for something that might happen; to supply with necessities.

"The company made provision for a potential economic downturn."

From Latin *prōvidēre* meaning 'to foresee, supply', from *pro-* 'before, forward' + *vidēre* 'to see'. The word evolved to encompass the act of supplying something.

Historically, 'provision' was used extensively to describe the supplying of armies and navies with food and supplies.

Memory tip

Think of a *vision* to guide a *pro-*active plan for supply.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to foresee, supply (prōvidēre)"

make provisionlegal provisionprovide provisionsfood provision

Common misspellings

provisoinprovisonprovesion

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written