province

noun

ˈprä-vən(t)s How to pronounce province (audio)
Definition of provincenext
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence a legal question outside the doctor's province

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word province distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of province are duty, function, and office. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

Where would duty be a reasonable alternative to province?

The words duty and province are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is function a more appropriate choice than province?

The meanings of function and province largely overlap; however, function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

When can office be used instead of province?

The synonyms office and province are sometimes interchangeable, but office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of province The phenomenon will be visible to some spectators in some areas in Maine as well as parts of Canada, specifically in the New Brunswick province and Quebec, the outlets reported. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Carney said the premiers of Canada’s provinces had agreed to work on a plan to develop a national trade and energy corridor in an effort to diversify trade. — Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025 Russia said its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions -- the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. — arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025 However, such a move risks escalating tensions with the Trump administration and would likely face strong opposition from Canada’s oil-producing provinces. Mexico, heavily reliant on U.S. energy imports, lacks comparable leverage. — Dan Eberhart, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
  1. area
  2. department
  3. realm
  4. domain
  5. element
  6. kingdom
  7. field
  8. walk
Noun
  • Here’s how the storm impacted the area: How much snow did Sierra Nevada get during storm?
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Team 2 will survey the area associated with the tornado near Greenville.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of area
Noun
  • According to the department of corrections, about 13,000 people — nearly half the state’s prison population — have such risk ratings, although not all of them are eligible for parole.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Penn State athletic department also credits former Penn State club ice hockey coach Joe Battista, a former school administrator who played a pivotal in securing the original donation from the Pegulas and oversaw the early development of the men’s and women’s D-I programs.
    — Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of department
Noun
  • Nearly all of them cite the Stanford University communications scholar Clifford Nass, who by the 1990s and 2000s became the go-to expert on human-computer interaction, particularly in the realm of voice interfaces.
    — Sarah A. Bell, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Then, to my astonishment, two slender blue-white streaks appeared, faintly at first, then slightly brighter, like a pair of angel wings peeking through some wondrous celestial realm.
    — Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of realm
Noun
  • Conservatives sometimes act as though the great art forms — opera, classical music, movies, painting, and sculpture — are destined to be the domain of liberals.
    — Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Whatever happens outside of that is Drummond’s domain.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of domain
Noun
  • On the other hand, there are elements of youth and inexperience that can only be felt in my shows in the past, perhaps my fans can find entertainment in my growth as well.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After the Entrada, there are traces of Teotihuacan’s presence all over Tikal, from royal burials in a necropolis to distinctly Mexican architecture mixed with Maya elements in a complex of residential and ceremonial buildings near the heart of the city.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of element
Noun
  • The kingdom was governed by a kind and virtuous king and queen, who were the parents of a daughter named Snow White.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That gives the kingdom significant influence over customers, including China, which has become its leading trade partner.
    — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • In 65 games, the former Kentucky Wildcat is averaging 17.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three in 31.6 minutes.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Aside from the injuries, Watson contended with some high-profile issues away from the football field.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of field
Noun
  • Cleveland’s starters: 43 innings, 53 hits, 32 earned runs, 18 walks, 26 strikeouts (6.70 ERA) 1: The number of games without a hit for Steven Kwan.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Trevor Smith Granite Hills | Baseball Smith reached base nine times in three Lions Tournament games, finishing with a pair of doubles, three RBIs and five walks.
    — Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of walk

Browse Nearby Words

providing (for)
province
provinces
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on province

Nglish: Translation of province for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about province

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