proviso

noun
pro·​vi·​so | \ prə-ˈvī-(ˌ)zō How to pronounce proviso (audio) \
plural provisos also provisoes

Definition of proviso

1 : an article or clause (as in a contract) that introduces a condition
2 : a conditional stipulation

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Examples of proviso in a Sentence

He accepted the job with one proviso: he would work alone. released the drunken revelers with the proviso that they behave for the remainder of the Mardi Gras

Recent Examples on the Web

Looked pretty good too, with the proviso that quarterbacks are supposed to look good when they can’t be tackled and contact is minimal. Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "What happened at Raiders’ camp — minus Antonio Brown," 20 Aug. 2019 But the Patriots have pledged not to franchise Brady, and there’s a proviso in his new contract that prohibits them from doing so. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s the deal: Tom Brady’s Patriot days could be over after this season," 8 Aug. 2019 Ideally, states should be given broad authority to reform their private individual markets, with one important proviso: Conditions must get better for people who have health problems. Marie Fishpaw, National Review, "A Health Plan for President Trump," 1 Aug. 2019 Panda diplomacy is typically a 10-year loan, costing the host nation some $1 million annually, with the proviso that any offspring remain the property of the People’s Republic. Charlie Campbell, Time, "'I Get to Hug Them All the Time.' What It's Like to Take Care of a Pair of History-Making Panda Cubs," 31 July 2019 But the Trump administration recently ditched that proviso and started talking to its long-term enemy directly. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, "Peace might be breaking out in America's longest ever war," 9 July 2019 The federal government guaranteed construction loans for Levitt & Sons with a whites-only proviso. Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, "What you should know about race-based affirmative action and diversity in schools," 3 July 2018 One exception is the proviso, codified in international law, to avoid potentially harmful interplanetary exchanges of biological material that could spark virulent epidemics on Earth or wipe out fragile alien biospheres. Leonard David, Scientific American, "As Space Becomes a Busy Place, NASA Bolsters Its Planet-Contamination Police," 3 July 2018 Here is a sample of what’s in store this summer, with the proviso that dates are subject to change. Gary Thompson, Philly.com, "Summer movies 2018: Here's when 'Ocean's 8,' 'Incredibles 2,' 'Jurassic World' and more hit theaters," 6 June 2018

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

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First Known Use of proviso

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for proviso

Middle English, from Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that

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More Definitions for proviso

proviso

noun

English Language Learners Definition of proviso

: a condition that must be accepted in order for someone to agree to do something

proviso

noun
pro·​vi·​so | \ prə-ˈvī-zō How to pronounce proviso (audio) \
plural provisos or provisoes

Legal Definition of proviso

1 : an article or clause (as in a statute or contract) that introduces a condition
2 : a conditional stipulation

History and Etymology for proviso

Medieval Latin proviso quod provided that

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