ground provisions: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowRegional (Caribbean), Culinary, Informal
Quick answer
What does “ground provisions” mean?
A collective term, primarily in Caribbean English, for root vegetables and starchy tubers used as staple foods, such as yam, sweet potato, cassava, dasheen, and eddoes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collective term, primarily in Caribbean English, for root vegetables and starchy tubers used as staple foods, such as yam, sweet potato, cassava, dasheen, and eddoes.
In a broader culinary or historical context, it can refer to locally grown, staple starchy foods that form the basis of a traditional meal, often served alongside or as an accompaniment to meat or fish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is not standard in general British or American English. In the UK, it is primarily encountered in the context of Caribbean communities and cuisine. In the US, it is similarly niche and associated with Caribbean restaurants or diaspora culture. Standard UK/US terms would be 'root vegetables' or 'starchy sides'.
Connotations
In Caribbean contexts, it connotes home cooking, tradition, and hearty, satisfying food. To speakers unfamiliar with the term, it may sound archaic or confusing.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of Caribbean cultural spheres. Its frequency is negligible in general British or American corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “ground provisions” in a Sentence
[Verb] + ground provisions (e.g., cook, prepare)[Noun] + of + ground provisionsGround provisions + [Verb] (e.g., go well with)Ground provisions + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., with saltfish)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ground provisions” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to boil the ground provisions for dinner.
- The chef is preparing ackee with a side of ground provisions.
American English
- She learned to cook ground provisions from her Jamaican grandmother.
- The restaurant serves jerk chicken with ground provisions.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- A ground provisions dish is essential for the Sunday meal.
- He prefers a ground-provisions-based diet.
American English
- The ground provisions platter was very filling.
- They discussed ground provisions agriculture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in a restaurant menu description, food import/export, or agricultural report focused on the Caribbean.
Academic
Used in anthropological, historical, or cultural studies of the Caribbean, particularly regarding food security, slavery, and post-colonial cuisine.
Everyday
Common in everyday speech within Caribbean households and communities. Uncommon elsewhere.
Technical
Used in agronomy or horticulture when discussing specific cultivars grown for local consumption in the Caribbean.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ground provisions”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ground provisions”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ground provisions”
- Using 'ground provision' (singular).
- Confusing it with 'grounds' (area of land).
- Assuming it refers to general 'vegetables' rather than specifically starchy root crops.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a Caribbean English term. In the US, it is mostly used within Caribbean communities or in restaurants serving Caribbean cuisine.
It is very uncommon and sounds incorrect to native speakers of Caribbean English. The term is almost always used in the plural 'ground provisions', as it refers to a category of food.
Common examples include yam, sweet potato, cassava (manioc), taro (dasheen), eddo, and potato. The specific mix can vary by island.
Historically, 'provisions' meant a supply of food, especially for a journey or military campaign. In the Caribbean context, these staple crops were the fundamental food supply, hence 'ground provisions' – food supplies from the ground.
A collective term, primarily in Caribbean English, for root vegetables and starchy tubers used as staple foods, such as yam, sweet potato, cassava, dasheen, and eddoes.
Ground provisions is usually regional (caribbean), culinary, informal in register.
Ground provisions: in British English it is pronounced /ɡraʊnd prəˈvɪʒ.ənz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡraʊnd prəˈvɪʒ.ənz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A meal isn't complete without your ground provisions. (Caribbean saying)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of food PROVISIONS (supplies) that grow in the GROUND: ground provisions.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS SUSTENANCE / AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IS A FOUNDATION (ground).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'ground provisions'?