provision

Provision refers to the act of providing or supplying something, as well as to the arrangement or preparation of resources, terms, or services. It can describe the process of ensuring that needed goods, services, or capabilities are available for use, such as provisions for a project, a field operation, or a household budget. The plural provisions is often used to denote supplies carried for travel or on expeditions, especially food, water, and other necessities.

In legal and contractual contexts, a provision is a clause or stipulation within a document that sets out rights, duties, or conditions. Provisions may define obligations, exemptions, remedies, or procedures that govern the relationship between parties. The phrase provisions of law refers to statutes, regulations, or formal requirements established by government authorities.

In accounting and finance, a provision is an amount set aside on a balance sheet to cover a probable future liability or loss. Common examples include provisions for bad debts, warranties, or restructurings. Provisions are estimates and may be adjusted as more information becomes available or circumstances change.

In information technology and operations, provisioning describes the process of configuring and supplying IT resources for use. This can include creating user accounts, assigning permissions, allocating storage, or setting up networks and services. Provisioning supports rapid deployment, scalability, and ongoing management, and it is often automated in modern environments to streamline onboarding and decommissioning.