I. prəˈvizhən, prōˈ- noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin provision-, provisio action of providing, provisions, from Latin, foresight, from provisus (past participle of providēre to foresee, provide, provide with) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at provide
1.
a. : promotion to office by an ecclesiastical superior ; especially : appointment to a benefice not yet vacant
through … a papal provision he was made bishop — G.C.Sellery
b. Scots law : a gift by will or deed to one as heir who would not be heir otherwise — compare heir of provision
c. usually capitalized : any of various laws enacted in the 13th and early 14th centuries by the assemblies of the English prelates and nobles or issued by the king with their consent
Provisions of Oxford
2.
a. : the act or process of providing
the provision of a play area for the children
the provision of free speech is … a weapon of enlightenment — Lucius Garvin
b. : the quality or state of being prepared beforehand
cast upon the world without provision — J.H.Newman
c. : a measure taken beforehand : preparation
provision … for decentralization — Vera M. Dean
provision for inserting … die slings — Steel
3. : a stock of needed materials or supplies
caravans expecting water or provision at a designated spot — Irving Stone
especially : a stock of food : victuals — usually used in plural
a basket of provisions — Green Peyton
4. : a stipulation (as a clause in a statute or contract) made in advance : proviso
bequeathed the house with the provision that it be preserved
this provision is one of fundamental importance in our legal … system — E.N.Griswold
Synonyms: see condition
II. transitive verb
: to supply with provisions : victual
trips to provision the island — Ben Holt
have an amply provisioned look that betrays their bucolic childhood — American Mercury