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 school does not report to a provost but directly to the university’s president, and has therefore been able to hire quickly.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Lloyd Duman, who has been the interim provost at the college for the last four years, sees this expansion as an opportunity for students to take more classes at the college.
—
Elissa Nadworny,
NPR,
30 June 2026
But though many university provosts and presidents have pointed to geopolitical and policy factors Baum cautioned against interpreting the enrollment cliff as a cyclical struggle, particularly for smaller schools who are struggling to keep domestic enrollment numbers up anyway.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Before serving as president of the University of Alabama, Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas.
—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provost
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Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Lloyd Duman, who has been the interim provost at the college for the last four years, sees this expansion as an opportunity for students to take more classes at the college.
—
Elissa Nadworny,
NPR,
30 June 2026
But though many university provosts and presidents have pointed to geopolitical and policy factors Baum cautioned against interpreting the enrollment cliff as a cyclical struggle, particularly for smaller schools who are struggling to keep domestic enrollment numbers up anyway.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Before serving as president of the University of Alabama, Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas.
—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provost
Cite this Entry
“Provost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provost. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provost
noun
pro·vost
ˈprō-ˌvōst
ˈpräv-əst
before "marshal" often ˌprō-vō
: a high managing officer (as in a university)
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