pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvizh-nəl 
-ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
: serving for the time being : temporary
a provisional government
provisionally
adverb
: a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears compare definitive
Examples of provisional in a Sentence
Adjective
The government has given provisional approval for the use of the new drug.
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Civil rights became provisional, dependent on politics rather than principle.
—Jennifer Obel, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Suarez started the weekend with an Xfinity Series qualifying accident, which forced him to use Nascar’s new international provisional.
—Joseph Wolkin, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
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Adjective
At the same time, senior officials in Washington coalesced around Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro lieutenant who had overseen the oil sector, as their provisional interlocutor in Caracas.
—Noun
With no clear sight of the ball, he was forced to play a provisional.
—Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provisional. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Legal Definition
provisional
adjective
pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvi-zhə-nəl
1
: provided for a temporary need : suitable or acceptable in the existing situation but subject to change or nullification
a provisional government
provisional custody of a minor
2
: of, relating to, or being temporary judicial acts or proceedings (as of attachment, injunction, or sequestration) allowed before final judgment to protect the interests of one or more parties to an action
a provisional remedy
provisionally
adverb
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