providence

[ prov-i-duh ns ]
/ ˈprɒv ɪ dəns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR providence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(often initial capital letter) the foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.
(initial capital letter) God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
a manifestation of divine care or direction.
provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.
foresight; provident care.

Origin of providence

1300–50; Middle English < Latin prōvidentia foresight, forethought. See provident, -ence

Words nearby providence

proverbial, proverbs, provertebra, provide, provided, providence, providence in the fall of a sparrow, there's a special, providence, divine, providencia, provident, provident club

Definition for providence (2 of 3)

Providence
[ prov-i-duh ns ]
/ ˈprɒv ɪ dəns /

noun

a seaport in and the capital of Rhode Island, in the NE part, at the head of Narragansett Bay.

Definition for providence (3 of 3)

Rhode Island
[ rohd ]
/ roʊd /

noun

a state of the NE United States, on the Atlantic coast: a part of New England. 1214 sq. mi. (3145 sq. km). Capital: Providence. Abbreviation: RI (for use with zip code), R.I.

OTHER WORDS FROM Rhode Island

Rhode Islander, noun

Words related to providence

god, deity, guidance, prudence, foresight, husbandry, precaution, economy

Example sentences from the Web for providence

British Dictionary definitions for providence (1 of 4)

providence
/ (ˈprɒvɪdəns) /

noun

  1. Christianity God's foreseeing protection and care of his creatures
  2. such protection and care as manifest by some other force
a supposed manifestation of such care and guidance
the foresight or care exercised by a person in the management of his affairs or resources

British Dictionary definitions for providence (2 of 4)

Providence 1
/ (ˈprɒvɪdəns) /

noun

Christianity God, esp as showing foreseeing care and protection of his creatures

Word Origin for Providence

C14: via French from Latin prōvidēntia, from prōvidēre to provide; see provide, -ence

British Dictionary definitions for providence (3 of 4)

Providence 2
/ (ˈprɒvɪdəns) /

noun

a port in NE Rhode Island, capital of the state, at the head of Narragansett Bay: founded by Roger Williams in 1636. Pop: 176 365 (2003 est)

British Dictionary definitions for providence (4 of 4)

Rhode Island
/ (rəʊd) /

noun

a state of the northeastern US, bordering on the Atlantic: the smallest state in the US; mainly low-lying and undulating, with an indented coastline in the east and uplands in the northwest Capital: Providence. Pop: 1 076 164 (2003 est). Area: 2717 sq km (1049 sq miles) Abbreviations: R.I, (with zip code) RI

Cultural definitions for providence (1 of 2)

Providence

Capital of Rhode Island and the largest city in the state, located in the northeastern part of the state.

notes for Providence

Port of entry and major trading center.

notes for Providence

Roger Williams founded Providence in the early seventeenth century after he was exiled from the colony of Massachusetts. He named it in gratitude for “God's merciful providence.”

Cultural definitions for providence (2 of 2)

Rhode Island

State in the northeastern United States; one of the New England states. Bordered by Massachusetts to the north and east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Connecticut to the west. Its capital and largest city is Providence.

notes for Rhode Island

One of the thirteen colonies.

notes for Rhode Island

After he was banished from Massachusetts for speaking out in favor of religious toleration, Roger Williams established the first settlement in the area at Providence in the early seventeenth century.

notes for Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state of the United States.