provisional
Used for now and not final, so it may change later.
Intended to be used or accepted for the time being and likely to be changed, confirmed, or replaced later.
Used about a government or group that leads a country for a short time until a normal government is ready.
Describing a government, authority, or administration that holds power temporarily until a permanent one is established.
Used about an official paper or right that is only for a short time or has limits until you get full approval.
Describing an official right, status, or document that is granted on a conditional or limited basis until full, regular status is confirmed.
- Base: provisional
on a provisional basis
1for now; not permanent
In a way that is only for a short time and may change later.
- She has been hired on a provisional basis until the end of the project.
- The clinic will operate in this building on a provisional basis while the new site is prepared.
- We can approve your request on a provisional basis pending further checks.
provisional booking
1temporary reservation not confirmed
A reservation for a room, table, or event that is held for you for a short time but is not fully confirmed yet.
- We can make a provisional booking for you while you check your flights.
- Your provisional booking will be canceled if we do not receive payment by Friday.
- I have a provisional booking at the restaurant for eight o'clock.
provisional date
1date set for now, may change
A date chosen for a meeting or event that is not final and might be changed later.
- We've set a provisional date for the wedding in early June.
- The provisional date for the conference is the 15th, but it has not been confirmed.
- Please put the provisional date in your calendar and we will confirm next week.
provisional government
1temporary government in power
A government that controls a country for a short time until a normal, permanent government is ready.
- Following the revolution, a provisional government took charge of the country.
- The provisional government has promised free elections within a year.
- International observers are working with the provisional government to stabilize the region.
provisional license
1temporary restricted license
A license that lets you do something, like drive, but only with some rules, until you get a full license.
- You can start driving lessons as soon as you receive your provisional license.
- On a provisional license, she must always be accompanied by an experienced driver.
- He applied for a provisional license so he could practice before the road test.
provisional patent
1temporary initial patent filing
A first, simple patent application that protects your idea for a short time before you file a full patent.
- The startup filed a provisional patent to protect its new medical device.
- A provisional patent gives you twelve months to submit a complete application.
- Inventors often use a provisional patent to test the market before investing more money.
provisional results
1early, not-final results
Results that are shared before everything is fully counted or checked and that might change later.
- Provisional results show the current president leading the vote.
- According to provisional results, sales grew by 8 percent last quarter.
- The university has posted provisional results online while appeals are processed.