provisional
[ pruh-vizh-uh-nl ]
/ prəˈvɪʒ ə nl /
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM provisional
Words nearby provisional
British Dictionary definitions for non-provisional (1 of 2)
Provisional
/ (prəˈvɪʒənəl) /
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
Compare
Official
British Dictionary definitions for non-provisional (2 of 2)
provisional
less commonly provisionary (prəˈvɪʒənərɪ)
/ (prəˈvɪʒənəl) /
adjective
subject to later alteration; temporary or conditional
a 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