province

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun

n. the parts of a country that are not the capital city.

n. the parts of a country outside the national capital, often implying a more traditional or less cosmopolitan lifestyle.

“After years of living in London, they decided to move out to the provinces for a quieter life.”

“While the capital remains the financial hub, much of the country's industrial power is concentrated in the provinces.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal

n. a particular subject or area of activity that someone is responsible for or knows a lot about.

n. an area of special knowledge, interest, or responsibility; a person's particular domain.

“I can help with the budget, but the technical side of the project is Sarah's province.”

“The dean argued that curriculum development should remain the exclusive province of the faculty rather than the administration.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a large area of land that has the same types of rocks and a similar history.

n. a spatial entity with common geological attributes, such as a similar suite of rock types or structural features.

“The volcanic province contains many ancient lava flows and unique minerals.”

“Researchers are mapping the igneous province to better understand the tectonic forces that shaped the continent millions of years ago.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal

n. an area of a church that is under the control of an archbishop.

n. a district under the jurisdiction of an archbishop or a high-ranking official in a monastic order.

“The archbishop travelled across the province to visit several different churches.”

“The ecclesiastical province comprises several dioceses, each overseen by a bishop who reports to the metropolitan archbishop.”