providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s 

-ˌden(t)s

1

a

often capitalized : divine guidance or care

b

capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

2

: the quality or state of being provident

Synonyms

• economy
• frugality
• husbandry
• parsimony
• penny-pinching
• scrimping
• skimping
• thrift

Examples of providence in a Sentence

practicing its customary providence, the snowbound family was able to make the meager stores last until help arrived

had the providence to lay in supplies before the storm hit

Recent Examples on the Web

Ideas about providence and a promised land are woven into our founding mythology. —Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 18 June 2024

The wind of providence is always blowing; her nose cannot help making out whatever tragedies may float upon it. —Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024

Jilin City is the second largest city and former capital of the Jilin providence in northeast China. —Ryan Magalhães, USA TODAY, 11 June 2024

In his view, the fact that routine materialistic calculations make such an outcome unlikely is unimportant, because divine providence will bring it about. —Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin providentia, from provident-, providens

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

providence

noun

prov·​i·​dence ˈpräv-əd-ən(t)s 

-ə-ˌden(t)s

1

a

often capitalized : divine guidance or care

b

capitalized : God as the guide and protector of all human beings

2

: the quality or state of being provident : prudence

Geographical Definition

Providence

geographical name

Prov·​i·​dence ˈprä-və-dən(t)s 

-ˌden(t)s

city in northern Rhode Island that is the state capital and a port at the head of the Providence River (a northern arm of Narragansett Bay) population 178,042