province

 
Pronunciation: /ˈprɒvɪns/

noun

  • 1a principal administrative division of a country or empire: Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province
  • (the Province) British Northern Ireland: all-party talks on the future of the Province
  • Christian Church a district under an archbishop or a metropolitan.
  • Roman History a territory outside Italy under a Roman governor.
  • 2 (the provinces) British the whole of a country outside the capital, especially when regarded as lacking in sophistication or culture: I made my way home to the dreary provinces by train
  • 3 (one's province) an area of special knowledge, interest, or responsibility: she knew little about wine—that had been her father’s province

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin provincia 'charge, province', of uncertain ultimate origin