provision

Etymology

From Middle English provisioun, from Old French provisïon, from Latin prōvīsiō (“preparation, foresight”), from prōvidēre (“provide”).

noun

1. An item of goods or supplies, especially food, obtained for future use.
   We have an infirm ſhip's company, and but five months proviſion, which muſt ſerve us to China unleſs we get a ſupply at Guam. 1728 [March 17, 1721], William Betagh, A Voyage Round the World. Being an Account of a Remarkable Enterprize, Begun In the Year 1719, chiefly to cruiſe on the Spaniards in the great South Ocean. Relating the True hiſtorical Facts of that whole Affair: Teſtifyd by many imployd therein; and confirmd by Authorities from the Owners., London: T. Combes, →OCLC, page 151
2. The act of providing, or making previous preparation.
3. Money set aside for a future event.
4. (accounting) A liability or contra account to recognise likely future adverse events associated with current transactions.
   We increased our provision for bad debts on credit sales going into the recession.
5. (law) A clause in a legal instrument, a law, etc., providing for a particular matter; stipulation; proviso.
   An arrest shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
6. (Roman Catholicism) Regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.
7. (Britain, historical) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation.

verb

1. (transitive) To supply with provisions.
   to provision an army
   An emancipated slave must be provisioned by the master. 2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 85
2. (transitive, computing) To supply (a user) with an account, resources, etc. so that they can use a system.