Prov‧ost , provost /ˈprɒvəst $ ˈproʊvoʊst/ noun [countable]
[Date: 900-1000; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin praepositus 'someone in charge, leader', from praeponere 'to put in front']

1. the person in charge of a college in some British universities, especially at Oxford or Cambridge

2. an important official at a university in the US

3. old use the leader of the council in some Scottish towns and cities

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲