n. & v.
n. 1 a the act or an instance of providing (made no provision for his future). b something provided (a provision of bread). 2 (in pl.) food, drink, etc., esp. for an expedition. 3 a a legal or formal statement providing for something. b a clause of this. 4 Eccl. hist. an appointment to a benefice not yet vacant (cf. PROVIDE 5).
v.tr. supply (an expedition etc.) with provisions. provisioner n. provisionless adj. provisionment n.
[ ME f. OF f. L provisio -onis (as PROVIDE) ]