# province

/ˈpɹɑvəns/ (US) · /pɹˈɒvɪns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/province
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. administrative region

noun · CEFR B1

one of the large areas that some countries are divided into, each with its own local government.

For teachers: a principal administrative division of certain countries or empires, such as Canada, China, or ancient Rome.

- She grew up in a small town in the province of Ontario.
- The federal government allocated additional funding to each province to improve rural healthcare infrastructure and digital connectivity.

### 2. outside the capital

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'the provinces'.

### 3. area of expertise

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. geological region

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. religious district

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She lives in a small town in the northern province.
- The central government recently granted more power to each province to manage its own healthcare budget.
- While the coastal cities are thriving hubs of international trade, the inland provinces remain largely agricultural and dependent on traditional farming methods.

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