Origin: Latin suffix -sion
Provision has 7 different meanings across 2 categories:
the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening
"his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties"
a store or supply of something (especially of food or clothing or arms)
"The emergency shelter stocked every room with an ample provision of canned goods and warm blankets for the winter storm."
An item of goods or supplies, especially food, obtained for future use.
"After weeks of rationing during the storm, we finally received a fresh provision of canned beans and dried meat from our neighbor's cellar."
In plain English: A provision is something provided or supplied, such as food or money, to meet a specific need or requirement.
"The emergency kit includes a basic provision of food and water for the first night."
Usage: Use "provision" to refer to supplies or resources set aside for future needs, such as food stored before winter. It often appears in phrases like "make provision for" when planning ahead for potential requirements.
To supply with provisions.
"Before we set sail, I asked my crew to provision the ship with enough food and water for the entire voyage."
In plain English: To provision means to supply someone with the food and supplies they need for a journey or trip.
"The company will provision new servers to handle the increased traffic."
Usage: As a verb, provision means to supply someone or something with necessary items like food and equipment for a journey or operation. Use it when describing the act of equipping a ship, army, or expedition with supplies rather than referring to legal clauses.
The word provision comes from the Latin prōvīsiō, which originally meant "preparation" or "foresight." It entered English through Old French and Middle English to describe supplies made in advance.