# provider

/pɹəˈvaɪdɝ/ (US) · /pɹəvˈaɪdɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/provider
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a person or company that gives you a service or a product you need. You often use this for things like internet, electricity, or healthcare.

For teachers: an organization or individual that supplies a particular service or commodity. Often used in professional contexts to describe commercial entities or healthcare professionals.

## Examples

- Who is your current internet provider?
- The hospital is the largest healthcare provider in the region, serving over fifty thousand patients every year.
- Switching to a different energy provider can often lead to significant savings, provided the consumer carefully reviews the terms of the fixed-rate contract before signing.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modified by the specific service being offered, such as 'service provider', 'care provider', or 'content provider'.

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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.