noun

1. any of the outside territories controlled and ruled by ancient Rome
2. an administrative division of a country; specif., any of the ten main administrative divisions of Canada
3. 1. a territorial district; territory
   2. the parts of a country removed from the capital and the populated, cultural centers
4. proper duties or functions; sphere enforcing the laws does not fall within the province of this commission
5. an area, division, or branch of learning or activity
6. a division of a country under the jurisdiction of an archbishop or metropolitan
7. a division of the world, smaller than a region, with reference to the plants or animals found there

Etymology: OFr < L provincia, province < ? IE *prowo- (< base *pro-) > Gr prōira, prow, OE frea, lord