adjective Also pro·vi·sion·ar·y [pruh–vizh–uh-ner-ee] /prəˈvɪʒ əˌnɛr i/ (for defs 1, 2).
- providing or serving for the time being only; existing only until permanently or properly replaced; temporary: a provisional government.
- accepted or adopted tentatively; conditional; probationary.
- (usually initial capital letter) of or being the wing of the Irish Republican Army that follows a policy of violence.
noun
- Philately. a stamp that serves temporarily, pending the appearance of the regular issue, or during a temporary shortage of the regular stamps.
- a provisional member of a group.
- (usually initial capital letter) a member of the Provisional wing of the Irish Republican Army.
adjective
- of, designating, or relating to the unofficial factions of the IRA and Sinn Féin that became increasingly dominant following a split in 1969. The Provisional movement remained committed to a policy of terrorism until its ceasefires of the mid-1990s
noun
- Also called: Provo a member of the Provisional IRA or Sinn Féin
adjective
- subject to later alteration; temporary or conditionala provisional decision
noun
- a postage stamp surcharged during an emergency to alter the stamp’s denomination or significance until a new or regular issue is printed
adj.“as a temporary arrangement for the present,” c.1600, from provision (n.) + -al (1), or else from Middle French provisionnal (15c.), from Old French provision. The notion is of something that will “provide for present needs.” Related: Provisionally.