province

noun

prov·​ince ˈprä-vən(t)s How to pronounce province (audio)
1
a
: a country or region brought under the control of the ancient Roman government
b
: an administrative district or division of a country
c
provinces plural : all of a country except the metropolises
2
a
: a division of a country forming the jurisdiction of an archbishop or metropolitan
b
: a territorial unit of a religious order
3
a
: a biogeographic division of less rank than a region
b
: an area that exhibits essential continuity of geologic history
also : one characterized by particular structural or petrological features
4
a
: proper or appropriate function or scope : sphere
that question is outside my province
b
: a department of knowledge or activity
Choose the Right Synonym for province

function, office, duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of a person or thing.

function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information Aldous Huxley

office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor W. E. Gladstone

duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case R. B. Taney

province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire Anne Brontë

Examples of province in a Sentence

They left the city for life in the provinces. a legal question outside the doctor's province
Recent Examples on the Web Researchers found the ancient tomb in El Caño Archaeological Park, a site in Coclé province known as a hotbed for pre-Columbian discoveries, particularly lavish burial chambers. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 The good news is that this dream has come true in some Canadian provinces and territories, which have offered eye-catching relocation incentives to address population decline, housing crises and affordability. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 While provinces and territories are responsible for fighting fires, federal money has provided for the training of an additional 600 firefighters across the country. Ian Austen, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Officials did not prevent a Khan ally from being elected head of the government in Pakistan’s northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where his party dominated the elections. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Hike Through Nature In Nova Scotia Hiking in Nova Scotia is a year round activity and March is the perfect time to explore this diverse province. Miriam Porter, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 This county is in Yunnan province and on the China-Vietnam border, about 1,200 miles southwest of Shanghai. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 The money was allegedly transferred from a China Construction Bank account in Fujian province to Li’s Bank of America account. Stuart Leavenworth, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Attendance at a province’s session can be a stamp of approval for the local party chief and their approach. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'province.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin provincia

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of province was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near province

Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/province. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

province

noun
prov·​ince ˈpräv-ən(t)s How to pronounce province (audio)
1
a
: a country or region brought under the control of the ancient Roman government
b
: a usually large division of a country having its own government
Canadian provinces
c
plural : all of a country except the chief cities
2
: the jurisdiction of an archbishop or metropolitan
3
: proper or appropriate business or area of skill, knowledge, or interest
a legal question outside the physician's province

More from Merriam-Webster on province

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!