provision
B2Formal and neutral. Common in legal, business, and official contexts.
Definition
Meaning
the action of providing or supplying something for use; something that is provided or supplied.
1) A legal or formal stipulation in a document (e.g., a contract or law). 2) Preparations made for future needs or eventualities. 3) (verb, rare) To supply with food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the act of providing (abstract noun) and the thing provided (countable noun). The verb form 'to provision' is less frequent, often replaced by 'to provide'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. No significant spelling or meaning variations. The verb 'to provision' (meaning to supply) is slightly more formal and less common than the noun in both dialects.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In legal contexts, it strongly implies a specific clause or requirement.
Frequency
Highly frequent in formal writing and legal documents in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in UK legal language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
make provision for [noun/gerund]under the provision(s) of [document]provision that [clause]provision of [service/supplies]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make provision for a rainy day”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to setting aside funds for anticipated losses or future costs (e.g., 'The company made a provision for bad debts.').
Academic
Used when discussing policy measures, legal frameworks, or theoretical models (e.g., 'The treaty includes provisions for environmental protection.').
Everyday
Mostly refers to food and supplies, especially for a trip (e.g., 'We need to buy provisions for the camping trip.').
Technical
In IT, can refer to the process of setting up hardware/software resources for a user or system.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The expedition was meticulously provisioned before setting sail for the Arctic.
- The army base is provisioned by weekly convoys.
American English
- The yacht was provisioned with enough food and water for the transatlantic crossing.
- The software automatically provisions new user accounts.
adverb
British English
- The contract was provisionally signed, pending final review. (Note: 'provisionally' is the adverbial form)
American English
- The deal was agreed to provisionally, with details to be finalized later.
adjective
British English
- The provisional agreement is subject to board approval. (Note: 'provisional' is the adjectival form)
- He was given provisional membership.
American English
- We received a provisional license while waiting for the permanent one.
- The committee's report is only provisional.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We bought provisions for our picnic.
- The school makes provision for children with allergies.
- The contract has a provision for early termination.
- They made financial provision for their retirement.
- The new law includes a provision that guarantees free access to information.
- Adequate provision must be made for the safety of all workers on site.
- The treaty's enforcement provisions were widely criticized as being too weak.
- The company's accounts showed a significant provision for contingent liabilities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VISION of the future. PRO-VISION means you are preparing FOR or supplying FOR that future vision.
Conceptual Metaphor
FUTURE IS A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED (We 'make provision' by filling the future with needed supplies or arrangements).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'провизия' (which is archaic and only for food). For the core meaning, use 'обеспечение', 'предусмотрение'. For a legal clause, use 'положение', 'оговорка'. For supplies, use 'запасы', 'снабжение'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'provision' as a direct synonym for the more common verb 'provide'. (Incorrect: 'They will provision the data.' Correct: 'They will provide the data.'). Confusing 'provisions' (supplies) with 'provisos' (conditions).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, what does 'provision' most specifically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less common and more formal than the noun. It means to supply with food, drink, or equipment. In IT, it means to set up and configure resources.
'Provide' is the general, common verb. 'Provision' as a verb is more specific, often implying supplying for a journey or a specific technical setup. The noun 'provision' is very common and has distinct meanings like a legal clause or preparatory measures.
Yes. 'Provisions' (plural) commonly refers to supplies of food and drink. 'Provisions' can also refer to multiple clauses within a law or contract.
The noun is standard in formal and neutral registers (legal, business, academic). In everyday conversation, it's most common in the phrase 'provisions' for food/supplies. The verb is formal.
Collections
Part of a collection
Law and Regulation
C1 · 46 words · Legal language and regulatory frameworks.
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