provision
gb/pɹəvˈɪʒən/ us/pɹəvˈɪʒən/
B1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Supply of needed goods
A supply of food or other things that are needed.
Usage pattern:
[someone] keeps [provisions] for [purpose]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'provision' (singular) with 'provisions' (plural) meaning supplies. The plural form is more common for this meaning.
Synonyms
supplies (A general term for needed items, often interchangeable in practical contexts.)
Antonyms
shortage (Refers to an insufficient amount of something needed, opposite of having provisions.)
Collocations
food provisions
|medical provisions
|emergency provisions
|adequate provisions
Themes
daily life
|travel
|survival
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hikers carried enough provisions for a week.
- We need to stock up on provisions before the storm hits.
- The ship was loaded with provisions for the long journey.
- They donated provisions to the disaster relief effort.
Learner examples
- We have provisions for the trip.
- The boat has food provisions.
- He bought provisions for the picnic.
- They keep extra provisions at home.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
Condition in legal document
A part of a law or contract that says what must be done.
Usage pattern:
a provision in [a contract/law/agreement]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'providing something'. In this sense, it refers to written rules or conditions, not the act of giving.
Synonyms
clause (A section of a legal document; often interchangeable but 'provision' emphasizes the requirement itself.)
Antonyms
omission (The absence of a clause or condition in a document.)
Collocations
provision of a contract
|legal provision
|special provision
|provision in the agreement
Themes
law
|business
Examples
- The contract includes a provision allowing early termination.
- There is a provision in the law for tax relief.
- The new policy contains a provision on data protection.
- They added a special provision to protect small businesses.
Learner examples
- The law has a special provision.
- There is a new provision in the contract.
- The agreement has a safety provision.
- We must follow the provision in the rules.
Noun
B2
action
3
Act of providing something needed
The act of giving something that is needed.
Usage pattern:
provision of [something] to [someone]
Synonyms
supply (General term for giving what is needed; 'provision' is often more formal.)
Antonyms
withholding (Deliberately not giving something needed.)
Collocations
provision of services
|provision of food
|provision of information
Themes
business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The charity focuses on the provision of clean water.
- Provision of medical care is essential after disasters.
- The government is responsible for the provision of public services.
Learner examples
- The school is responsible for the provision of books.
- Provision of food is important in an emergency.
- The job includes the provision of training.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
To supply with necessary items
To give someone the things they need for a trip, job, etc.
Usage pattern:
to provision [someone/something] with [items]
Synonyms
equip ('Equip' can refer to providing tools or gear; 'provision' often includes food and supplies.)
Antonyms
deprive (To take away necessary items, opposite of provisioning.)
Collocations
provision troops
|provision an expedition
|provisioned with supplies
Themes
travel
|military
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They provisioned the team with tents and food.
- The ship was provisioned before setting sail.
- Explorers must be well provisioned for the journey.
Learner examples
- They provisioned the hikers with food.
- The boat was provisioned for the trip.
- We will provision the team before they leave.
Grammar
Dictionary form
provision
IPA
GB/pɹəvˈɪʒən/
US/pɹəvˈɪʒən/
Syllables & stress
pro - vi - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: provision
- Plural: provision, provisions
Verb
- Base: provision
- 3rd Person Singular: provisions
- Present Participle: provisioning
- Past: provisioned
Word family
Forms
provisions
noun
provisioning
verb
provisioned
verb
Related words
provisional
adjective B2
provisionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
proviso
noun
Expressions
make provision for
1/mˈeɪk pɹəvˈɪʒən fɚ/
fixed phrase
Plan and prepare for future needs
To plan and get ready for something that may happen in the future by saving money or keeping supplies.
Examples
- You should make provision for unexpected expenses.
- They made provision for their children's education.
under the provisions of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə pɹəvˈɪʒənz əv/
fixed phrase
formal
According to rules in law/document
As stated in a law or official paper.
Examples
- Under the provisions of the contract, we can terminate at any time.
- Under the provisions of the new law, companies must report emissions.