# providence

/ˈpɹɑvədəns/ (US) · /pɹˈɒvɪdəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/providence
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. divine guidance

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

the belief that God or a higher power is watching over people and guiding what happens in their lives.

For teachers: the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power that guides human destiny.

- They believed it was providence that they both survived the storm.
- The settlers viewed their successful harvest not as a result of their own labour, but as a clear sign of divine providence.

### 2. planning for the future

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

the act of being careful and planning ahead for what you might need later.

For teachers: the quality of being provident; the exercise of foresight or timely preparation for future eventualities.

- Through hard work and providence, the family saved enough money to buy a farm.
- His lack of providence in his younger years left him with very little to live on during his retirement.

### 3. the capital of Rhode Island

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the name of a major city in the United States, specifically the capital of the state of Rhode Island.

For teachers: the capital city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, founded in 1636.

- We spent the weekend visiting the historic museums in Providence.
- Providence serves as the economic and cultural hub of Rhode Island, home to several prestigious educational institutions.

## Examples

- They trusted in Providence to see them through the storm.
- It seemed like a stroke of Providence when the lost hikers found a small cabin just as the sun went down.
- The settlers believed their survival in the harsh wilderness was a clear sign of divine Providence, interpreting every successful harvest as a mark of celestial favour.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.