/ prəˈvɪʒn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , C , usually sing. ] the act of supplying sb with sth that they need or want; sth that is supplied :
housing provision
The government is responsible for the provision of health care.
There is no provision for anyone to sit down here.
The provision of specialist teachers is being increased.
2.
[ U , C ] provision for sb/sth preparations that you make for sth that might or will happen in the future :
He had already made provisions for (= planned for the financial future of) his wife and children before the accident.
You should make provision for things going wrong.
3.
provisions [ pl. ] supplies of food and drink, especially for a long journey
4.
[ C ] a condition or an arrangement in a legal document :
Under the provisions of the lease, the tenant is responsible for repairs.
—see also provide
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] provision sb/sth (with sth) ( formal ) to supply sb/sth with enough of sth, especially food, to last for a particular period of time
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense foresight ): via Old French from Latin provisio(n-) , from providere foresee, attend to, from pro- before + videre to see. The verb dates from the early 19th cent.