pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvizh-nəl 
-ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
: serving for the time being : temporary
a provisional government
provisionally
adverb
: a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears compare definitive
Synonyms
Examples of provisional in a Sentence
Adjective
The government has given provisional approval for the use of the new drug.
will form a provisional government until a new leader can be elected
Recent Examples on the Web
Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2024
With nearly all votes counted — with some provisional ballots still outstanding in places like California — the exit polls have settled to a point where the results won't likely change very much and trends can be seen outside the margins of error.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Instead, the board of elections will determine which outstanding provisional and absentee ballots are valid at the Sept. 27 board meeting, Perlatti said.
—cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
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Adjective
On Election Day, voters across Apache County faced significant challenges as voting machines malfunctioned and provisional ballots quickly ran out.
—Noun
The 2022 turnout rate will rise only slightly with an official canvass, which will include all valid provisional and absentee ballots that were postmarked by the day before the election and received by the statutory deadline.
—Dictionary Entries Near provisional
Cite this Entry
“Provisional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provisional. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Legal Definition
provisional
adjective
pro·vi·sion·al
prə-ˈvi-zhə-nəl
1
: provided for a temporary need : suitable or acceptable in the existing situation but subject to change or nullification
a provisional government
provisional custody of a minor
2
: of, relating to, or being temporary judicial acts or proceedings (as of attachment, injunction, or sequestration) allowed before final judgment to protect the interests of one or more parties to an action
a provisional remedy
provisionally
adverb
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