provision

 
Pronunciation: /prəˈvɪʒ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the action of providing or supplying something for use: new contracts for the provision of services
  • (provision for/against) financial or other arrangements for future eventualities or requirements: farmers have been slow to make provision for their retirement
  • [count noun] an amount set aside out of profits in the accounts of an organization for a known liability, especially a bad debt or the diminution in value of an asset.
  • 2an amount or thing supplied or provided: changing levels of transport provision
  • (provisions) supplies of food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.
  • 3 [count noun] a condition or requirement in a legal document: the first private prosecution under the provisions of the 1989 Water Act
  • 4 [count noun] Christian Church, historical an appointment to a benefice, especially directly by the Pope rather than by the patron, and originally before it became vacant.

verb

  • 1 [with object] supply with food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey: civilian contractors were responsible for provisioning these armies (as noun provisioning) the provisioning of US ships
  • 2 [no object] set aside an amount in an organization’s accounts for a known liability: financial institutions have to provision against loan losses

Derivatives

provisioner

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (also in the sense 'foresight'): via Old French from Latin provisio(n-), from providere 'foresee, attend to' (see provide). The verb dates from the early 19th century