1 providence | Definition of providence
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

providence

noun
prov路​i路​dence | \ 藞pr盲-v蓹-d蓹n(t)s How to pronounce providence (audio) , -藢den(t)s\

Definition of providence

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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

Providence

geographical name
Prov路​i路​dence | \ 藞pr盲-v蓹-d蓹n(t)s How to pronounce Providence (audio) , -藢den(t)s\

Definition of Providence (Entry 2 of 2)

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
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about providence

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for providence

Synonyms: Noun

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

Antonyms: Noun

diseconomy, wastefulness

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of providence in a Sentence

Noun

 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: Noun

 As the saying has it, God has a special providence for fools. — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, "A Young Imagination Beats Videogames," 24 June 2019 By the end of the play, divine providence is much harder to discern. — The Economist, "On stage, the saga of the Lehman brothers is a parable of America," 12 July 2018 But as the saying has it, God has a special providence for fools, drunkards and the United States of America. — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, "Summer Jobs Teach Real-World Lessons," 31 May 2018 The symbol was intended in this work to suggest divine providence. — Menachem Wecker, National Review, "The Catholic Undertones of Vermeer鈥檚 Masterpieces," 1 Nov. 2017 Wallace has faith in the providence of New England weather. — Abigail Tucker, Smithsonian, "Why Is America Losing Ground in the Contest to Grow the World鈥檚 Biggest Pumpkin?," 30 Sep. 2017 And then, with the help of providence (the farmer's familiar friend and foe), came the nutritional and scientific findings. — Mike Sager, Esquire, "Growing Almonds in the Desert," 25 Feb. 2015 Because Hoover died before the Watergate break-in, providence called a halt to the escalation of tension between him and the president. — Patty Limerick, The Denver Post, "Four interlocking facts about what happened in 1972," 19 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'providence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of providence

Noun

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

History and Etymology for providence

Noun

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for providence

providence

noun
prov路​i路​dence | \ 藞pr盲-v蓹-d蓹ns How to pronounce providence (audio) \

Kids Definition of providence

1 often capitalized : help or care from God or heaven
2 capitalized : God as the guide and protector of all human beings
3 : prudence, thrift

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on providence

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with providence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for providence

Spanish Central: Translation of providence

Nglish: Translation of providence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of providence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about providence

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!