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
Example sentences from the Web for provisional
British Dictionary definitions for provisional (1 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
Derived forms of provisional
provisionally, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for provisional (2 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
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