n. 1. A territory governed as an administrative or political unit of a country or empire. 2. Ecclesiastical A division of territory under the jurisdiction of a metropolitan. 3. provinces Areas of a country situated away from the capital or population center. 4. An area of knowledge, activity, or interest: a topic falling within the province of ancient history. See Synonyms at field. 5. The range of one's proper duties and functions; scope. 6. Ecology An area of land, less extensive than a region, having a characteristic plant and animal population. 7. Any of various lands outside Italy conquered by the Romans and administered by them as self-contained units. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin prōvincia.] |
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