provisional
temporary; not yet final
Used for now and not final, so it may change later.
a provisional [plan/decision/date/result]
- These are only provisional figures until all the data has been checked.
- We agreed on a provisional date for the meeting while we confirm the venue.
- The committee gave its provisional approval to the new policy.
- Our travel plans are still provisional and may change if flights are delayed.
- The contract is provisional pending the results of the safety inspection.
- This is a provisional plan, so we can change it.
- They set a provisional date for the party.
- The company shared provisional results with the staff.
- I made a provisional booking at the hotel.
- Her place on the team is provisional until the final test.
temporary governing or ruling
Used about a government or group that leads a country for a short time until a normal government is ready.
a provisional [government/authority/administration]
- A provisional government was formed after the fall of the regime.
- The country is currently under a provisional administration backed by the United Nations.
- The rebels set up a provisional council to run the captured city.
- Talks are under way to replace the provisional authority with an elected parliament.
- The constitution gives limited powers to the provisional government during the transition period.
- After the war, a provisional government took control.
- The provisional administration will lead the country for six months.
- They voted to create a provisional council until new elections.
- The city is run by a provisional authority right now.
- People hope the provisional government will organize free elections.
conditional or limited official status
Used about an official paper or right that is only for a short time or has limits until you get full approval.
a provisional [license/patent/ballot/registration]
- She is driving on a provisional license until she passes her full test.
- The company filed a provisional patent to protect its new design.
- Due to questions about his identity, he was given a provisional ballot.
- Students are admitted on a provisional basis until their exam results are confirmed.
- Your access is provisional and will expire in thirty days unless your account is verified.
- I only have a provisional license, so I must drive with an adult.
- They gave him a provisional ballot at the voting station.
- The start-up registered a provisional patent for the device.
- Her place at the college is provisional until she gets her final grades.
- New users get provisional access for one month.
- 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.