a high-ranking university administrator
"The provost addressed the faculty meeting to announce new budget cuts for the science department."
One placed in charge: a head, a chief
"The new provost of the university announced that all students must wear identification badges starting next semester."
A dean: the head of a cathedral chapter.
"The new provost took over the governance of the ancient cathedral chapter after serving as its senior canon for ten years."
To be delivered to a provost marshal for punishment.
"After breaking curfew, the soldier was marched out of the barracks to be handed over to the provost marshal for detention."
An occupational surname, from occupations for a provost.
"The old family crest displayed prominently in the hall belonged to the Provosts, an ancient lineage that took its name directly from their ancestor's former occupation as a town official."