province
province — noun
1. A territorial division inside a country, set up by the central government and us
A territorial division inside a country, set up by the central government and usually given some local decision-making authority over matters such as education, health care, or transportation.
Quinn moved from Toronto to Vancouver after taking a job in the province of British Columbia.
the province of [proper name]
Each province in Canada runs its own health care system and sets its own education policies.
province + possessive: runs its own
The Roman Empire was split into many provinces, each ruled by a governor appointed from Rome.
Liang grew up in a rural part of the province, far from the capital city.
After the election the new government promised to give more power to the provinces.
- state
Used for federal units in countries like the US, Mexico, or India; 'province' is preferred in Canada, China, and some European countries.
- region
A broader term that does not always imply formal administrative or political boundaries.
- territory
Often refers to an area that does not have the same self-governing rights as a province, e.g. Canada's northern territories.
文法句型
the province of [name]
常見錯誤
2. The four large historical divisions of the island of Ireland — Ulster, Munster,
The four large historical divisions of the island of Ireland — Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Connacht — each of which contains several counties and has its own cultural and sporting traditions.
Luca's family comes from County Cork, which is in the province of Munster in the south of Ireland.
in the province of [name] — Irish context
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, and part of it now forms Northern Ireland.
one of the four provinces of Ireland
The rugby team from Leinster has won more all-Ireland championships than any other province.
All four provinces of Ireland — Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Connacht — appear on the traditional coat of arms.
文法句型
the province of [name]
用法筆記
This sense is almost exclusively used when speaking about Irish geography, sports, or history. It does NOT refer to a modern governmental unit — the Republic of Ireland is divided into counties, not provinces for administrative purposes.
3. A large church district under the authority of an archbishop, comprising a group
A large church district under the authority of an archbishop, comprising a group of smaller districts called dioceses that together form a single regional unit within a Christian denomination.
The archbishop of Canterbury oversees the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury, which includes thirty dioceses.
ecclesiastical province + number of dioceses
Each ecclesiastical province in the Anglican Communion elects its own bishops and meets in synod.
Soraya studied church history and learned about the boundaries of medieval ecclesiastical provinces across Europe.
The cathedral in the main city of a province usually serves as the seat of the archbishop.
- diocese
A smaller unit within a province; a province contains multiple dioceses.
- archdiocese
A very large diocese usually headed by an archbishop; may be synonymous with a province in some contexts.
文法句型
ecclesiastical province
province of [church name]
用法筆記
In Catholicism and Anglicanism, an ecclesiastical province is led by an archbishop or metropolitan. Do not confuse this sense with sense 1 — a church province and a political province may have completely different boundaries.
4. A name used for Northern Ireland when considered as a distinct political region
A name used for Northern Ireland when considered as a distinct political region of the United Kingdom, especially in news reports, government documents, and historical writing.
The Province has its own devolved government in Belfast that handles health, education, and transport.
the Province + has + devolved government
Justin visited the Province last summer to study how schools there teach history.
The economy of the Province depends heavily on agriculture, shipbuilding, and tourism.
New laws passed by the Parliament in London must still be approved by the Province's assembly.
- Northern Ireland
The official name; 'the Province' is a journalistic and colloquial shorthand.
- Ulster
Sometimes used loosely but historically covers nine counties, six of which are in Northern Ireland (three in the Republic). Imprecise and can be politically loaded.
文法句型
the Province
用法筆記
Always written with a capital P when referring specifically to Northern Ireland. In news headlines and formal writing, 'the Province' is a common shorthand. Outside the UK and Ireland, this usage may be unfamiliar to readers.
常見錯誤
5. Every region of a country situated away from its main capital city, commonly reg
Every region of a country situated away from its main capital city, commonly regarded as more traditional, less fashionable, or more relaxed in lifestyle than the capital.
Talia grew up in the provinces and moved to London when she turned eighteen for university.
grew up in the provinces + moved to capital
The newspaper employs reporters in the provinces as well as in the capital to cover national stories.
Life in the provinces is usually quieter and more affordable than life in the big city.
Many young people leave the provinces each year to find better jobs in the capital.
The film humour often makes fun of people from the provinces, which can feel unfair to local audiences.
- the countryside
Emphasises rural scenery and agriculture; 'the provinces' can include smaller cities and towns too.
- the regions
A more neutral term common in business and politics, without the slightly dismissive tone of 'the provinces'.
- rural areas
More literal and geographic, without the cultural implication of being secondary to the capital.
- the capital
The central city that 'the provinces' are contrasted with.
- the metropolis
A formal or literary word for a large, important city, especially the capital.
文法句型
the provinces
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the plural form 'the provinces'. Often carries a slight implication that the capital city is culturally central and the rest of the country is peripheral. This sense is more common in British English than American English.
常見錯誤
6. A specific subject, type of work, or set of decisions that a person or group is
A specific subject, type of work, or set of decisions that a person or group is responsible for or best equipped to handle.
Deciding the annual budget falls within the province of the finance committee.
falls within the province of [group]
Iker admitted that medical questions are not his province and suggested asking a doctor.
[possessive] province — not someone's province
Quantum physics is not really my province; I specialise in English literature and poetry.
Choosing the textbook is the province of the head of the department, not the individual teacher.
Paloma believes that family decisions should remain the province of the parents, not the state.
- domain
More common in everyday language; 'province' is more formal and slightly literary.
- field
Focuses on a subject area; less emphasis on authority or ownership.
- area of expertise
More transparent and widely used in business and academic writing.
- remit
Common in British English for official responsibilities; more formal than 'province'.
文法句型
[possessive] province
within someone's province
be the province of [someone]
用法筆記
Often used in negative constructions ('not my province', 'not within my province') to politely indicate something falls outside one's expertise or authority. This sense is typically non-count and appears with a possessive determiner or in the pattern 'the province of + noun phrase'.