pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvizh-nəl 
-ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
: serving for the time being : temporary
a provisional government
provisionally
adverb
: a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears compare definitive
Synonyms
Examples of provisional in a Sentence
Adjective
The government has given provisional approval for the use of the new drug.
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Recent Examples on the Web
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Would-be voters uncertain about their eligibility can file provisional ballots instead of casting a regular one, leaving it to election officials to verify their voter status and tally or toss the vote accordingly (Mason’s vote wasn’t counted).
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Alves’ lawyer announced an appeal of the conviction and the sentence, while both the Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office and the plaintiff also announced their decision to appeal Alves’ provisional release.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Google, as almost all tech companies do, quickly filed provisional patents on the work.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
For example, a person showing up to vote without proper ID is allowed to cast a provisional ballot, but it isn't counted unless the voter returns within five calendar days with identification.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
In 2021, the average person could expect to live to be 76.1 years, according to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024
At least 42,000 people have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of September, according to provisional data from the CDC, reaching a peak of more than 2,500 deaths during the week ending January 13.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
Earlier provisional data estimated more than 109,000 overdose deaths in 2022, but provisional data includes all overdose deaths, while the final numbers are limited to U.S. residents.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024
Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Instead, the board of elections will determine which outstanding provisional and absentee ballots are valid at the Sept. 27 board meeting, Perlatti said.
—cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Correll read the official election results, which have been certified following Election Day Nov. 5 and the Nov. 7 canvass of absentee and provisional ballots; 1,782 ballots were cast, including 10 absentee and 12 provisionals.
—David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2019
His provisional sailed left, too, into the deep rough.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2019
Election Day in this year’s statewide Democratic and Republican primary election was June 26, followed by an absentee ballot canvass June 28, a provisional ballot canvass Thursday and the final count of absentee and provisionals Friday.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
The Board of Elections, sitting as the Board of Canvassers, accepted 313, including 274 absentees and 39 provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
There’s going to be a paper recount of all the votes from early voting, election day, absentees and provisionals.
—Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 10 July 2018
McComas picked up five more votes in the Republican race for District 34B, while Tilley earned six provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 5 July 2018
Adjective
Where other artists’ images were heavy-handed, overworked, often tediously moralistic, Whistler’s pictures look provisional, disinterested (in the impartial, non-sentimental sense) and (to our eyes) remarkably modern.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Would-be voters uncertain about their eligibility can file provisional ballots instead of casting a regular one, leaving it to election officials to verify their voter status and tally or toss the vote accordingly (Mason’s vote wasn’t counted).
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Alves’ lawyer announced an appeal of the conviction and the sentence, while both the Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office and the plaintiff also announced their decision to appeal Alves’ provisional release.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Google, as almost all tech companies do, quickly filed provisional patents on the work.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
For example, a person showing up to vote without proper ID is allowed to cast a provisional ballot, but it isn't counted unless the voter returns within five calendar days with identification.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
In 2021, the average person could expect to live to be 76.1 years, according to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024
At least 42,000 people have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of September, according to provisional data from the CDC, reaching a peak of more than 2,500 deaths during the week ending January 13.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
Earlier provisional data estimated more than 109,000 overdose deaths in 2022, but provisional data includes all overdose deaths, while the final numbers are limited to U.S. residents.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
The 2022 turnout rate will rise only slightly with an official canvass, which will include all valid provisional and absentee ballots that were postmarked by the day before the election and received by the statutory deadline.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Instead, the board of elections will determine which outstanding provisional and absentee ballots are valid at the Sept. 27 board meeting, Perlatti said.
—cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Correll read the official election results, which have been certified following Election Day Nov. 5 and the Nov. 7 canvass of absentee and provisional ballots; 1,782 ballots were cast, including 10 absentee and 12 provisionals.
—David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2019
His provisional sailed left, too, into the deep rough.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2019
Election Day in this year’s statewide Democratic and Republican primary election was June 26, followed by an absentee ballot canvass June 28, a provisional ballot canvass Thursday and the final count of absentee and provisionals Friday.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
The Board of Elections, sitting as the Board of Canvassers, accepted 313, including 274 absentees and 39 provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 6 July 2018
There’s going to be a paper recount of all the votes from early voting, election day, absentees and provisionals.
—Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 10 July 2018
McComas picked up five more votes in the Republican race for District 34B, while Tilley earned six provisionals.
—David Anderson, The Aegis, 5 July 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provisional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near provisional
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provisional. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
provisional
adjective
pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvi-zhə-nəl
1
: provided for a temporary need : suitable or acceptable in the existing situation but subject to change or nullification
a provisional government
provisional custody of a minor
2
: of, relating to, or being temporary judicial acts or proceedings (as of attachment, injunction, or sequestration) allowed before final judgment to protect the interests of one or more parties to an action
a provisional remedy
provisionally
adverb
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