What is province? Pronunciation and usage in English

province means . Learn how to pronounce and use province through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of province

provincenoun

/ˈprɒvɪns//ˈprɑːvɪns/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "province." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for the most accurate sound):

  • /ˈprɒvɪns/ (This is the IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

2. Breakdown & How to Say It:

  • ˈpro-: This part rhymes with "toe" or "go." The 'p' is silent. So, it sounds like "pro."
  • -vɪn-: This is where it gets tricky. This is a diphthong – a sliding sound. It sounds like "vi" as in "vine" but shorter and slightly more rounded. Think of the vowel sound in "bit" or "fit."
  • -sə-: This part is like the "suh" sound in "sun" or "bus."

3. Putting It Together:

Say it slowly: "Pro-vins"

Now, speed it up: "Pro-VINCE"

4. Key Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't stress the "v": The 'v' is silent. Many people pronounce it as "pro-vin," which is incorrect.
  • The “vi” sound: This is the most common mistake. Focus on that short, rounded "vi" sound. Don't say "vee".
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable (ˈpro-).

Resources for Hearing It:

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (what’s your native language)? Sometimes the sounds we're used to in our native languages make certain English sounds harder to master.

Usage and examples with the word province in English

Let's break down how to use the word "province" in English. It's a word with a specific meaning, and it's important to understand how it's used correctly.

1. Core Meaning: A Sub-Division of a Country

The most common and fundamental meaning of "province" is a major administrative division within a country. Think of it as a region with its own government and laws, but operating under the overall authority of the national government.

  • Example: "Ontario is a province of Canada."
  • Example: "Guangdong is one of the provinces of China."
  • Example: "The governor of California oversees the state's provincial affairs."

2. Usage Scenarios

Here’s how you'd use “province” in different situations:

  • Geography: It’s primarily a geographical term.

    • "He traveled extensively through the provinces of Italy."
    • "The map shows the boundaries of each province."

  • Politics & Government: It refers to a level of administrative organization.

    • "The province's education system is funded by the national government."
    • "Local elections are held within each province."

  • Historical Context (Less Common Now): Historically, "province" was used more widely to describe a territory under the control of a foreign power (e.g., Roman provinces). This usage is much rarer today.

3. Distinguishing from "State"

This is crucial. "Province" and "state" are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t always the same thing.

  • Province: Typically refers to a sub-division within a country. (e.g., provinces of Canada, provinces of China).
  • State: Often refers to a sovereign nation (a country). (e.g., The United States, the State of Texas – which is a state within the United States).

Think of it this way: A country is made up of provinces or states.

4. Examples Showing the Difference

  • "Canada is a country with ten provinces." (Province = part of the country)
  • "The United States consists of fifty states." (State = a sovereign nation)

5. Less Formal Usage (Rare)

Occasionally, “province” can be used metaphorically to describe a particular area of knowledge or interest, but this is much less common and should be used carefully:

  • "The province of mathematics is fascinating." (Meaning a field of study)

Resources to Help You Learn More:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "province" in? (e.g., writing an essay, a conversation, a news report?)
  • What is the context of the sentence you're working on? (e.g., Are you talking about geography, government, history?)

Synonyms for the word province

Practice with vocabulary province

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. In countries like Canada and South Africa, the largest sub-national administrative division is commonly referred to as a ______.
  2. The company's new policy falls outside the normal ______ of the local branch manager and requires head office approval.
  3. The entire arid ______ of the country is facing severe water shortages due to prolonged drought.
  4. Local government officials are responsible for managing public services within their specific ______, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms most commonly refers to a major administrative division within a unitary state, often with its own local government and legislative powers? a) Borough b) Municipality c) Province d) Hamlet

  2. In a country like Spain or Argentina, which terms might describe significant administrative subdivisions that possess a degree of autonomy? a) States b) Provinces c) Departments d) Districts

  3. When discussing the primary administrative divisions of China, which terms would be accurately used? a) Provinces b) Autonomous Regions c) Municipalities d) Counties

  4. The United Nations report highlighted the ongoing conflict in the disputed border ______ between the two nations. a) district b) county c) territory d) parish

  5. The marketing team decided to focus its new campaign on the southern ______ of Europe, known for its high tourist traffic. a) precinct b) region c) ward d) canton

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Each of the major administrative divisions within the country has its own legislative body responsible for local laws. Rewrite using "province": 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  2. Original: Decisions made at the local level often have a significant impact on the entire region. Rewrite using a word form of "province": _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  3. Original: The northern part of the country is characterized by its vast, uninhabited land. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "province"): 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  4. Original: The northern part of the country is characterized by its vast, uninhabited land. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "province"): The northern territory of the country is characterized by its vast, uninhabited land.

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