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

Trump’s 90-minute acceptance speech, which quickly moved from providence to policy and jabs at his opponent, President Joe Biden, was almost secular compared to some speakers earlier in the evening. —Chris Ullery, USA TODAY, 19 July 2024

The concepts of divine intervention and providence have a long record in American history. —Newt Gingrich, Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2024

For Rao, there was a sense of providence throughout the production. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024

Her interviewees’ lives are scaffolded by a sincere belief in providence, in which their religious faith often plays a major role. —Christine Emba, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2024

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