A collection of essential goods including a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, a few apples, and a small wooden crate.

provisiones

pro-bee-syon-es

nounfB1

supplies?food, water, and essentials for a journey or situation

Also:provisions?formal term for stockpiled goods,stock?a collection of items kept for future use

📝 In Action

Compramos suficientes provisiones para pasar una semana en la montaña.

We bought enough supplies to spend a week in the mountains.

Antes de la tormenta, la gente agotó las provisiones en el supermercado.

Before the storm, people ran out of supplies in the supermarket.

El barco lleva provisiones de agua y comida para tres meses.

The ship carries water and food provisions for three months.

Word Connections

Synonyms

víveres (food supplies)
suministros (supplies/resources)
reservas (reserves/stock)

Antonyms

escasez (shortage)
carencia (lack)

Common Collocations

hacerse con provisiones – to get/stock up on supplies
provisiones de boca – food supplies (literally: supplies for the mouth)
agotar las provisiones – to run out of supplies

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural?

While 'provisión' exists in the singular, you will almost always hear this word in its plural form, 'provisiones,' when referring to a collection of food or gear.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Provision vs. Provisioning

Mistake: "Using 'provisiones' to mean the act of providing."

Correction: Use 'abastecimiento' for the act of providing, and 'provisiones' for the actual items (the food/water) themselves.

⭐ Usage Tips

Think of Survival

Use this word when the items are necessary for survival or a specific mission, rather than just casual shopping.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: provisiones

Question 1 of 1

If you are going on a 3-day hike and need to pack food and water, what are you packing?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

proveer(to provide/supply) - verb

provisión(provision/supply) - noun

provisional(temporary) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'provisiones' only used for food?

Mostly, yes. While it can include things like batteries or medicine in an emergency kit, it almost always implies the basic essentials needed to sustain yourself.

Can I use 'suministros' instead?

Yes, they are very similar. 'Suministros' is a bit broader and can include electricity or office supplies, while 'provisiones' feels more like 'rations' or travel gear.