province

noun

ˈprä-vən(t)s How to pronounce province (audio)
Definition of provincenext
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence a legal question outside the doctor's province

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word province distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of province are duty, function, and office. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

Where would duty be a reasonable alternative to province?

The words duty and province are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is function a more appropriate choice than province?

The meanings of function and province largely overlap; however, function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

When can office be used instead of province?

The synonyms office and province are sometimes interchangeable, but office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of province The site was uncovered in Qianshan, in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025 The links to Usyk’s home province and country don’t stop there. —Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 Utility company Eskom said power was out in several provinces, with the cold front expected to persist through the week. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 June 2025 It's primarily found in the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest and has spread to 37 states and 6 Canadian provinces. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
  1. area
  2. department
  3. realm
  4. domain
  5. element
  6. kingdom
  7. field
  8. walk
Noun
  • Two projectiles reportedly hit the area around the airport.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 June 2025
  • Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 14, according to the Tribune’s archives.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
Definition of area
Noun
  • Water rescue calls started just after 5:00 a.m. CDT for the area, which is near the northeast loop of Interstate 410, Joe Arrington, the department’s public information officer, told CNN.
    — Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
  • The newest addition to the department’s fleet, dubbed Tower 22, is capable of extending 100 feet vertically and 93 feet horizontally.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2025
Definition of department
Noun
  • This is a threat especially in the realm of SaaS, where credibility with technical users is currency and being deemed vaporware is a mortal sin.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The protagonist of this beguiling novel, Lina, lives with her father in a realm seemingly unbound by ordinary time.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Definition of realm
Noun
  • Always check URLs, email domains and phone numbers carefully.
    — Bojan Ilic, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Most targets whose names are in the public domain are at English clubs, leading some fans to suggest Newcastle are prioritising Premier League experience over cost.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Definition of domain
Noun
  • By assessing population data, demographics and neighborhoods can be identified as lacking certain elements.
    — FNU Anupama, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The new customization center will incorporate renewable energy with built in energy-efficient design elements in lighting, water consumption and overall layout.
    — Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 9 June 2025
Definition of element
Noun
  • The tomb was discovered at the archeological site of Gordion, the capital of the Phrygian kingdom, which controlled much of Asia Minor during the first millennium BCE, Gordion Excavation Director C. Brian Rose said in a news release.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Denmark bill to allow US military bases COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark's Parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to allow U.S. military bases on Danish soil, a move that comes as President Donald Trump seeks to take control of the kingdom's semi-autonomous territory of Greenland.
    — Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 12 June 2025
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • At the same time, the Royals grounds crew raced to the field to put on the tarp.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
  • Defensive end Sam Williams returned to the practice field for the first time without a brace since tearing his ACL last July.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2025
Definition of field
Noun
  • San Diegans Christopher and Clare Harrington, in a cheerier frame of mind, have devised a series of good walks enhanced.
    — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • Cole underwent the surgery about six months after a bizarre intentional walk to Devers, who is 9-for-33 in their matchups.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of walk

Browse Nearby Words

providing (for)
province
provinces
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on province

Nglish: Translation of province for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about province

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